S Club 7 fans react to reunion tour continuing without Hannah Spearritt

S Club 7 fans have been divided by the announcement the band plan to go ahead with their reunion tour as S Club 5.

Hannah Spearritt has made the decision to leave the band following the death of bandmate Paul Cattermole at the age of 46 on Thursday 6 April, just weeks after confirming he would be part of an S Club 7 25th anniversary reunion tour.

S Club's Rachel Stevens, Jo O'Meara, Bradley McIntosh, Tina Barrett, and Jon Lee have now announced in a statement that they will go ahead with the tour as a five piece.

Read more: S Club 7 Bring It All Back with reunion tour: How to buy tickets

Lee said in a video on social media: "You’ve probably noticed that there’s only five of us here today, and although Hannah will always be part of S Club 7, she won’t be joining us on this tour.

“We wish her all the best for the future.”

Barrett added: "“We are calling the tour the Good Times tour in tribute to Paul because that was that was his song."

Fan reaction has been mixed, with some saying they would like a refund on their tickets.

One tweeted: "@AXS_UK @TheO2 we have tickets for #sclub7 but was wondering if we can claim a refund. This is due to the passing of Paul and Hannah dropping out the show. We wanted to go as we wanted to see them all, as this not happening now are we able to get a refund?"

Another asked: "How do we get refunds? We didn’t pay to see S Club 5"

This response sparked anger with other Twitter users saying it is insensitive to ask for a refund.

One said: "You paid to see a show and the show is still happening. Have some empathy."

Another posted: "Maybe just enquire about your refunds privately and not on a message thread that the band can see ... There's a time and a place."

And other fans offered their messages of support to the band.

One commented on Instagram: "Sending so much love. calling the tour “Good Times” will be a beautiful tribute to Paul."

Another tweeted: "Love you all. Sending you so much love. And of course Hannah. See you in October."

And another wrote: "Sending you all so much love. You will do Paul proud. He will be with you always. Love the new name for the tour. Such a lovely tribute."

Read more: S Club 7 fans complain after one member turned up to sold-out gig

Cattermole’s family and S Club 7 announced his death in a joint statement on Friday 7 April.

In February S Club 7 announced an arena tour of the UK and Ireland to celebrate the 25th anniversary of when the band was formed, by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller back in 1998.

The manufactured pop band entered the public eye when they starred in their own TV series, Miami 7, on CBBC.

Their hit singles included Reach, Two In A Million, You're My Number Once, and number ones Bring It All Back, Never Had A Dream Come True, Don't Stop Movin' and Have You Ever.

Read more: S Club 7: Bankruptcy, Big Brother and fortune telling - what have the band been up to?

Cattermole made headlines in 2018 when he sold his Best Newcomer Brit Award from 2000 on eBay, raising an impressive £66,100.

Watch: S Club 7's Paul Cattermole died unexpectedly aged 46