Emma Bunton hasn't reached the "stage” to marry Jade Jones yet

She said: "We haven't got to that stage. It is the world's longest engagement but if Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell can do it?.?.?.? they've never married."

And the Spice Girls singer insisted she is very happy with the "connection" she has with the former Damage star.

She told The Sun newspaper: "Do you know what, I really do believe each to their own. For me, I am a one-man girl and as you can see I've been with Jade for so long and I love that kind of connection, that intimacy with one person, that falling in love.

"I love that. That's me all over. But I honestly think everybody is wired differently and why shouldn't anyone feel and do and love whoever they want?"

But the 43-year-old singer still wants to marry "one day".

Asked if the lack of formalising their union has kept them together, Emma said: "Maybe it is, I don't know. One day I know we would love a wedding and we want the kids to be there. I really feel for other people who struggle.

"I read all the stories like everyone else. It's not nice, this industry is fast, you travel a lot, you're in and out of studios for long hours and overnight so I know how difficult it is.

"But we met young, we grew up together. We have a lot of respect for each other and he really supports me and everything I do. Jade is more patient than me, 100 per cent. He is the patient one."