S Club 7 vow anniversary tour will still go ahead and will include tribute to Paul Cattermole

Members of S Club 7 have vowed their 25th anniversary tour will continue and will likely include a tribute to Paul Cattermole, who passed away suddenly at the age of 46.

Sources close to the band say that while it’s too soon to make a public decision on how their 11 concerts will go, they want them to take place because the late singer was so excited about it.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Cattermole was one of the first of the seven stars to agree to take part in the reunion shows.

An insider said: ‘Paul was so excited, even though he seemed uncomfortable on the outside, he was looking forward to reliving old happy times with the group.

“That’s why there are some members of S Club 7 who are determined to keep the tour going. To them it seems like the perfect way to honor him.

Tour: Sources close to the band say that while it’s too early to make a public decision on how their 11 concerts will go, they want them to take place because the late singer was so excited about it (Paul pictured in 2001 )

“There have been some meetings and some of the group are inconsolable, they are in pieces. It all came as a great shock to them.’

Cattermole was found at his home in Dorset on Thursday morning and was pronounced dead in the afternoon, his family said Friday.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

His ex-girlfriend and fellow S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt is said to be ‘in pieces’ after she was told the news by the band’s management team.

In a joint statement on Friday, Cattermole’s family and S Club 7 said: ‘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.

Although 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 requesting privacy at this time.”

The Mail can reveal that on Friday morning a member of the group’s manager Simon Fuller’s team called the six members: Ms Spearritt, 42, Rachel Stevens, 44, Tina Barrett, 46, Jon Lee, 40, Jo O’ Meara, 43, and Bradley McIntosh, 41 – to break the news to them.

Tragedy: Cattermole was found at his home in Dorset last Thursday morning and was pronounced dead in the afternoon, his family said on Friday (pictured on Wednesday, April 6)

Career: The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Cattermole was one of the first of seven stars to agree to take part in the reunion shows (pictured in February 2023)

The source added, “Hannah couldn’t even talk about the news, her boyfriend has been having the conversations needed.

“She’s inconsolable, this is coming out of nowhere and she’s just numb.”

Mr. Fuller, who formed the band in 1998 and led the forthcoming reunion tour, is said to be “deeply upset” by the news.

Meanwhile, the band paid tribute to Cattermole on social media.

They posted a black and white photo of the singer in the band’s heyday, 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 had him in our lives and are thankful for the great memories we have. He will be greatly missed by all of us.”

Cattermole, who made a living as a tarot card reader after falling on hard times after leaving the group in 2002, is said to have been ‘in good spirits’ when he was spotted in a park close to his home near Swanage last Wednesday. One onlooker said he was “smiling and enjoying the sun.”

Meanwhile, Fuller, who formed the group in the late 90s, broke his silence this morning about Cattermole’s death by saying, “Paul was a beacon of light to a generation of pop music fans and he will be sorely missed.”

A source said, “Paul was so excited, even though he seemed awkward on the outside, he was looking forward to reliving old happy times with the group; (S Club 7 pictured in 1999)

The source added: ‘That’s why there are some members of S Club 7 who are determined to keep the tour going. To them it seems like the perfect way to honor him’ (S Club 7 pictured in 2000)

“We are all deeply shocked and saddened by this news.”

His bandmates were said to be “concerned” about his well-being just before he died.

Cattermole previously left Loose Women viewers in tears when he discussed his life on the bread line, revealing that he lived on noodles and couldn’t afford a new shirt for his televised 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.

Following the sad news of his passing, a video of his 2019 performance looking for love at First Dates Hotel has resurfaced online.

In the clip, Paul sweetly admitted that he would trade his “success” and “fame” in pop band S Club for a chance at “one true love” before going on the date.

Paul, who left S Club four years after they catapulted to fame, said recognition and money weren’t the “route to happiness,” but finding love was.

He said, ‘Would I have traded success and number one for one true love? I think yes, yes.

Heartbreaking: His ex-girlfriend and fellow S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt was said to be ‘in pieces’ after she was told the news by the band’s management team (pictured together in 2004)

“Fame is not the way to happiness, money is not the way to happiness, being with someone you love is.”

The singer went on to say that although he had had a series of short relationships, including with S Club co-star Hannah Spearritt, he wanted to find true love.

The seven-member pop group released a variety of hits, including Reach, don’t stop moving.

Paul left S Club 7 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.

Their TV show Miami 7 first aired in 1999 and drew about 90 million viewers, before the band played Hollywood 7 in 2001, when Paul began dating co-star Hannah.

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 kept their romance private at first, with Paul later revealing that he would sneak to and from Hannah’s house in the early hours to avoid being spotted by fans.

Hannah and Paul split in 2006 and got back together for a few months in 2015 before ending their relationship for good.