Devastated fans pay tribute to Paul Cattermole and share their memories of the band
S Club 7 fans were united in grief this afternoon after learning of the tragic death of band member Paul Cattermole, aged just 46.
Paul was found dead at his home in Dorset on Thursday, with police saying there were no suspicious circumstances.
When the band announced his passing this afternoon as a tribute, fans left behind memories of the popular star of their own.
Jaylan Salah wrote: ‘RIP Paul Cattermole. I was obsessed with S Club 7 when I was little, had a crush on Hannah and Bradley, and even watched their TV series Miami 7 with my sister and grandpa on Gramps’ old TV.
“Their songs always gave me a boost and made me want to dance. Sad news.’
Elizabeth Bond said on Twitter that the musician reminded her of happy times in her life.
Paul Cattermole of the band S Club 7 performing on stage at the BRMB Party in the Park at Alexander Stadium, Birmingham
Fans took to the web to talk about their memories of Paul and how the band shaped their lives
She said, ‘Really shocked and sorry to hear this. I saw S Club 7 in 2002 with a friend of mine.
“We were both about ten years older than the average audience age, but I still miss that innocent and fun time. RIP Paul and condolences to your loved ones.”
JenWren said, “This is so damn sad. My friend and I saw S Club at the Echo arena a few years ago and relived our childhood. Rest in peace Paul.’
Ellie Walker added: ‘This is so sad. RIP Paul. He was a big part of my childhood. My thoughts are with all of you and his loved ones.’
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.”
RIP: S Club 7 star Paul Cattermole has passed away at the age of 46. The circumstances surrounding his death would not be suspicious (photo on Wednesday)
Tragic news: While his cause of death has not been revealed, the band’s manager reportedly said there were ‘no suspicious circumstances’
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.”
A source close to Paul’s ex-girlfriend and bandmate Hannah Spearritt told MailOnline: “She’s absolutely devastated.
Reunited: (L-R) Rachel Stevens, Paul, Jo O’Meara, Jon Lee, Hannah Spearritt, Bradley McIntosh and Tina Barrett geared up to reform for a 25th anniversary tour later this year
“Hannah is inconsolable. This came as a huge shock and she has a hard time believing he is no longer with us.
“Just as they rekindled their friendship, the worst happened. The band is all in pieces.
“They were all looking forward to the reunion tour and reliving their great memories together. Paul has and always will be a big part of Hannah’s journey. She’s just beside herself right now.’
The tragic news comes shortly after the pair rekindled their friendship and ended their seven-year feud.
Hannah and Paul’s friendship predates the formation of the group in the 1990s, after they became friends at the National Youth Music Theater in their teens.
They first kept their romance private with Paul, later revealing that he would sneak to and from Hannah’s house in the early morning hours to avoid being spotted by fans.
Heyday: The group was one of the biggest bands of the noughties and had a string of hits
The news of Paul’s shocking death comes just weeks after S Club 7 announced they will be reuniting for an 11-date tour of the UK and Ireland, performing classics such as Reach, Bring It All Back and Never Had A Dream Come True.
Fans of the group won’t just remember S Club for their music, as the band, which includes Rachel Stevens, 44, Tina Barrett, 46, Jon Lee, 40, Bradley McIntosh, 41, and Jo O’Meara, 43, also played in their very own BBC series Miami 7 and LA 7.
All seven of the group agreed to the comeback, led by music magnate Simon Fuller – the man who put them together in 1998 after the Spice Girls, his previous band, fired him as their manager.
He personally called each of the seven stars to introduce the project and made it clear that it would only work if they all agreed.
On getting back together, the band said, ‘After eight years, it feels great to announce that we’re getting back together and performing together again.
“We are so excited to bring the S Club Party back to our fans across the country to celebrate 25 years of S Club 7. We can’t even believe it’s been so long!
“Music and friendship have always been at the heart of everything we’ve ever done. We hope that everyone can make it one big party with us!’
S Club 7 recorded four studio albums, released 11 singles all of which entered the Top 5 UK charts and sold over 10 million albums worldwide.
In 2002, Paul sent shockwaves through S Club 7’s global fanbase when he spectacularly announced he was leaving the group citing “creative differences.”
The band announced their split the following year.
Paul had a rough road after he left the band, went bankrupt in 2015 and even put his Brit Award up for sale on eBay with the words ‘There are bills to pay’.
He admitted trying to sign up for reality shows like I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! and Dancing On Ice, but was told he wasn’t “famous enough.”
During an appearance on Loose Women in 2018, he admitted that he had run out of money and had to borrow a shirt for the show.
The following year, he made an emotional appearance on the dating show First Dates Hotel.
The star went on a date with music lover Anna, but after being quietly let down, sobbed for the camera and asked for a “moment” to pull herself together.
Bandmate Tina said at the time, “I’m always there for Paul. It’s hard when you see someone you’ve worked with struggling.’
After their split in 2003, the band went in all directions.
Rachel went on to pursue a solo music career and came second on Strictly Come Dancing in 2008.
Hannah, who is mother to daughters Tora and Taya, enjoyed an acting career, appearing in BBC One soap opera EastEnders and British drama Primeval, among others.
In 2021, Paul launched a new YouTube channel called Tarot Me This where he called on fans to make a donation in exchange for a reading, explaining that “clairvoyance” was his new job.
He later revealed that he hid his psychic abilities from the rest of S Club 7 because he feared it would make him sound “crazy.”
The pop star swapped his mic for tarot cards after reinventing himself as a “spiritual psychic detective” and making money by charging £39.99 for reading on a spiritual website.
Paul explained how he goes into rooms and reads the “energy in them,” adding that the older he gets, the more able he is to “process” what’s going on.
After leaving his pop career behind, Paulk spent a decade honing his skills to build the career he had today, but he talked about how his abilities first came to light in his teens, before he’d intensified” in his twenties.
But at the height of his fame during his time in S Club, Paul admitted that he couldn’t tell the truth about his abilities for fear of sounding crazy.
He said, “I didn’t know what it was, but I got premonitions of certain things. I saw pictures of people in newspapers and certain things about them jumped out of the picture. In my 20s it intensified, but I could never tell anyone, not even my bandmates, because it would sound like I’m crazy.”