S Club 7 singer Paul Cattermole dies aged 46

Fans and friends have paid to tribute to S Club 7 star Paul Cattermole, who has died aged 46.

The singer, who weeks ago was confirmed to be part of a forthcoming 25th anniversary tour, was found dead on Thursday afternoon at his home in Dorset.

The cause of his death is currently unknown, but there are thought to be no suspicious circumstances.

A statement from S Club 7 said: “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 amazing memories we have. He will be so deeply missed by each and every one of us. We ask that you respect the privacy of his family and of the band at this time.”

A source told The Sun that members of the band “broke down” at the news. “Everyone is in pieces. Hannah and the rest of the gang broke down when told what happened,” the source said. “No one can believe it. There is a real sense of horror and disbelief.”

Cattermole was one of the original band members, along with Rachel Stevens, Hannah Spearritt, Jo O’Meara, Bradley McIntosh, Tina Barrett and Jon Lee.

They exploded onto the pop scene in the 1990s, overseen by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller. The band produced four albums and were together from 1998 until 2003, when they disbanded.

Following the band’s break-up, McIntosh, O’Meara and Cattermole became members of spin-off group S Club Allstars, originally known as S Club 3, with Barrett joining them in 2014.

Cattermole was born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, and was a member of the National Youth Music Theatre, where he met Spearritt. He had twice been in a romantic relationship with her, first from 2001 for five years and again in 2015 for several months.

Tributes to the singer began to pour in, with Vernon Kay, the television presenter, tweeting: “This is so very sad. From when I first started in TV, all the way through CBBC, T4, TOTP, Smash Hits poll winners, Paul and S Club were always there. He always had time for a chat. RIP.”

Jeremy Edwards, the former boyfriend of S Club 7’s Stevens, wrote: “My thoughts and love go to all your friends and family.”

TV personality Lizzie Cundy wrote: “So shocked and sad to hear S Club 7 Paul Cattermole has passed away. Such a lovely guy.”

Chat show host Lorraine Kelly said: “This is so sad. Lovely man and he was so looking forward to the #sclub7 reunion. Interviewed them all many times and struck by how gentle and shy he was.”

Nicki Chapman, who worked with the band at the beginning of their career, wrote: “I have such fond memories of working with him over the years. My thoughts go to his family and the band.”

As one of the biggest pop bands of the 1990s and early 2000s, S Club 7 were well known for hit songs Reach, Don’t Stop Movin’ and their debut, Bring It All Back.

They accrued 11 UK top 10 singles, including four number ones, sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and won two Brit awards.

Cattermole left the seven-piece pop group in 2002 after four years to embark on a solo career. He had been open about the financial difficulties he had faced after leaving the band, selling the Brit award he won for best newcomer for £66,000 on eBay in 2018, saying he had “bills to pay”.

After selling the Brit, he told NME he had found if difficult to find work after a back injury, which he sustained while touring the UK with The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

He also appeared on Loose Women in 2018, admitting he was “working on odd jobs” to pay the bills. He worked as a station manager for a local radio station in Swanage, and also became an online tarot card reader.

In February, all seven original members of S Club 7 announced that they would reunite and tour together for the first time since 2015. Speaking to BBC Radio 2’s Scott Mills, about the reunion, Cattermole said: “I was the master of the dance moves. There’s definitely a few there that I won’t be able to do… remember that caterpillar?”