Paul Cattermole dead: Late S Club 7 star was bankrupt, eating noodles

Paul Cattermole went bankrupt and lived on noodles in the years following his S Club 7 fame.

The pop star died on Thursday at the age of 46 at his home in Dorset, it was announced today.

A statement from his family read: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son and brother Paul Cattermole.

“Paul was found yesterday, April 6, 2023, at his home in Dorset and was pronounced dead later that afternoon,” while confirming there were no suspicious circumstances.

In 2018, Paul – who was last pictured on Wednesday and set to embark on a reunion tour with S Club 7 in October – left Loose Women viewers in tears as he discussed his life on the breadline and revealed he lived off noodles and could not afford a new shirt for his television appearance at the time.

The singer revealed that he had fallen on hard times and had money problems since he was declared bankrupt in 2015.

Speaking to Christine Lampard, Saira Khan, Nadia Sawalha and Jane Moore, he said his financial woes forced him to live off instant noodles and beg reality TV producers for work.

Paul admitted he was ‘nervous’ about appearing on the show as he was always used to being interviewed with the group. ‘We’ve traveled the world, we’re really good friends and it’s been a lot of fun. I look back on those days with great pleasure. Possibly with more love than ever before.

“I wouldn’t say it was the perfect life because it’s not very easy when you do something with a pop band, the perception on the outside isn’t what it is on the inside. But there were very nice times. You take the rough with the smooth.”

S Club 7 – made up of Paul, Tina Barrett, Rachel Stevens, Jo O’Meara, Hannah Spearritt, Bradley McIntosh and Jon Lee – were one of the most iconic bands of their time, selling more than 10 million albums worldwide, with in the starring their own TV series and winning two BRIT Awards.

Paul left the group in 2002, citing “creative differences”, and the group changed their name from S Club 7 to simply S Club before breaking up for good a year later.

Following his departure from the band, Paul mostly stayed out of the limelight, revealing that he was desperate for reality television.

He confessed that although he had approached producers of Dancing On Ice, Celebrity Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing, “for some reason they don’t want me.”

He added that he could have made ends meet by taking odd jobs and would not mind doing something like “delivering pizza” for a living.

While admitting that he was reduced to the life of instant noodles, Jane Moore revealed that the show had to buy Paul his shirt to wear on the program.

She said, “You literally didn’t have the money to buy the shirt on your back. How did it get so bad?’

Paul sidestepped the issue, explaining, “Something happened last year that I can’t really talk about, so it’s a big deal. But I’ve had an injury, so that’s what happened last year that made it very difficult.”

In October 2014, it was confirmed that the original S Club 7 line-up would reunite for BBC Children in Need for the first time in over a decade, and a UK reunion tour was later announced.

However, Paul admitted, ‘When we did the 2015 S Club tour, I went bankrupt and had to return all that money.

“So I had to give all my money for that tour to pay that bill, so I had to do the next job that came in, which was Rocky Horror. S Club might have done something different if I hadn’t been pushed into that position.’

In an attempt to ease his financial woes, Paul tried to sell one of his BRIT Awards, and although there were reports that the gong had sold for £66,100 on eBay, he revealed that it ultimately failed to sell.

He revealed, “It wasn’t a PR thing in any way. I didn’t expect it to go the way it did. In a way I regret how it turned out. I hoped to be able to sell them quietly without causing a stir.’

Paul’s candid speech about his struggles left Loose Women viewers in tears, as fans took to Twitter at the time

Someone wrote: ‘I really feel sorry for Paul from club 7, he’s so nervous and I think he’s quite embarrassed. Hopefully they do a reunion and he can get back on his feet #LooseWomen.

‘Hearing how much Paul van Sclub is having a hard time literally breaks my heart man #LooseWomen’; “I felt sorry for him, 40 years old, lost and alone… #LooseWomen.”

“I can’t believe some, including the #LooseWomen, are harsh on him. Clearly has issues he can’t talk about in public. Anyway thanks for the music at the time Paul. Helped a young girl in a time of no.’

‘Hearing how much Paul van Sclub is having a hard time literally breaks my heart man #LooseWomen’; ‘Oh my god Loose Women bought Paul from S Club the shirt on his back for his interview that’s sad #LooseWomen’.

Paul explained that he hadn’t given up though, as he revealed that his mother had been a great support to him and admitted that he was on the hunt for love.

The singer, who famously dated bandmate Hannah Spearitt, confessed, “I’d love to find a wife and we’ll get married and have kids.

‘That would be great. I’m a very nice boyfriend!’

Paul was found dead at his home in Dorset on Thursday and there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

The news is said to have come as a ‘shock’ to his fellow band members, including his ex-girlfriend Hannah Spearritt who has been left ‘inconsolable’.

A statement from his family read: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son and brother Paul Cattermole.

“Paul was found yesterday, April 6, 2023, at his home in Dorset and was pronounced dead later that afternoon.”

It continued: ‘While the cause of death is currently unknown, Dorset Police have confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.

“Paul’s family, friends and fellow S Club members are asking for privacy at this time.”

The band paid tribute to Paul on Twitter, writing: “We are truly devastated by the passing of our brother Paul.

“There are no words to describe the deep sadness and loss we all feel. We were so lucky to have him in our lives and are thankful for the great memories we have.

“He will be so greatly missed by all of us. We ask that you respect the privacy of his family and the band at this time.”