James Morrison is said to have canceled all work commitments and new music plans following the sudden death of his wife Gill Catchpole at their family home.
The 39-year-old singer had posted a photo on Instagram last Thursday of himself playing guitar in front of a screen, with the caption: “New Year, new adventure…”
But just hours later, on Friday, the body of 45-year-old mother-of-two Gill Catchpole was found on their property in the Gloucestershire village of Whitminster.
Morrison had disappeared from the public eye in recent years, although he did go on a 22-date ‘Greatest Hits’ tour in 2022 and played festivals such as Kew The Music in London.
And it looks like he had new music planned, as the photo on social media showed him in front of recording and mixing equipment.
James Morrison had posted a photo on Instagram last Thursday of himself playing guitar in front of a screen, with the caption: “New Year, new adventure…” His wife died the next day
James Morrison and his wife Gill Catchpole at the Odeon Leicester Square in London in 2012
James Morrison and Gill Catchpole in a photo posted to social media in October 2022
Now a source has told The Sun that Morrison, 39, will focus on caring for his two daughters Elsie, 15, and Ada Rose, five, after quitting all work commitments.
Mrs Catchpole, 45, who had been married to Morrison for 17 years since 2006, was pictured without her wedding ring and was looking for a new home shortly before her death.
She had spoken of her ‘ups, downs and sorrows’ and was reportedly looking for a property in Whitminster shortly before her death.
Mrs Catchpole also ran a successful cafe in the village called the Cotswold Sandwich Box.
Speaking recently about her life since a kidney transplant, she said the life-saving surgery happened around the time her husband was returning to the spotlight with a Greatest Hits album and festival appearances.
He has endured a series of family tragedies. Morrison disappeared from the music industry for some time after losing his father Paul, an alcoholic, in 2010 and, within three years, his older brother Alexis and cousin Callum.
Morrison and his family said they were ‘devastated’ by Ms Catchpole’s death. The day before the tragedy, the singer-songwriter shared a photo of himself recording guitar music on Instagram with the caption, “New year, new adventure.”
Gill Catchpole had made her relationship status single on Facebook
Gill Catchpole said she was ‘looking for a house to rent as soon as possible’ just 24 hours before she died
Gill Catchpole was pictured without her wedding ring (circled) in August last year.
The couple had been together for about 20 years and met after Mrs Catchpole moved into Morrison’s mother’s house as a tenant.
Ms Catchpole’s death occurred about fourteen months after she underwent a kidney transplant in 2022, which she admitted left her devastated, but praised her family for “picking up the many pieces of my life.”
She had shared a post on her catering company’s social media in November last year, expressing her excitement about starting the business post-transplant.
She wrote: ‘Well what can I say? What a difference a year makes. This time last year I had my kidney transplant and a year later, after many ups and sorrows, I have my own business here.
‘At the beginning of this year I didn’t see this coming. For anyone who is going through a hard time, I can tell you from experience that it gets better. Thank you to my wonderful family and friends who have all been there and picked up the many pieces of me and my life. You all know who you are… today I feel blessed.”
Gloucestershire Police are not treating her death as suspicious.
A spokesperson said: ‘Police were called to Whitminster in Gloucester at around 9.10am on Friday following concerns about the welfare of a resident.
James Morrison and his wife Gill Catchpole after a Brit Awards afterparty in London in 2009
James Morrison with his father Paul Catchpole, who died in 2010 after battling alcoholism
‘The body of a woman in her forties was found at an address. The death is considered non-suspicious. The coroners and the woman’s next of kin have been informed.”
Born in Rugby, Warwickshire, Morrison has sold seven million records since finding fame in 2006 with his triple platinum debut Undiscovered.
He scored three more top ten albums and won the Brit Award for Best British Male in 2007.
His debut single was also his most successful – You Give Me Something – reaching the top ten in nine countries, including number five on the UK Singles Chart.
Morrison is also a songwriter for other artists including Demi Lovato, Olly Murs, Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken.