Members of S Club 7 have vowed their 25th anniversary tour will continue and will likely include a tribute to Paul Cattermole, who died suddenly aged 46.
Sources close to the band say that while it’s still too early to make a public decision on how their 11 concerts will go, they want them to go ahead because the late singer was so excited.
The Mail on Sunday is able to reveal that Cattermole was one of the first of the seven stars to agree to take part in the reunion shows.
A source said: “Paul was so excited, despite appearing awkward on the outside, that he was looking forward to reliving some of the old, happy times with the group.
“As a result, there are some members of S Club 7 who are determined that the tour goes ahead. For her, it seems like the perfect way to pay tribute to him.
Vows: Members of S Club 7 have vowed their 25th anniversary tour will continue and will likely include a tribute to Paul Cattermole (above left), who died suddenly aged 46
Tour: Sources close to the band say while it’s too early to make a public decision on how their 11 concerts will go, they want them to go ahead because the late singer was so excited (Paul in 2001 pictured)
“There have been some meetings and some of the group are heartbroken, they are in pieces. It was all such a big shock to her.
Cattermole was found at his home in Dorset last Thursday morning and was pronounced dead in the afternoon, his family said on Friday.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
His ex-girlfriend and S Club 7 colleague Hannah Spearritt is said to be “in ruins” after the band’s management team broke the news to her.
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 at his home in Dorset yesterday, April 6, 2023, and was pronounced dead later that afternoon.
“While the cause of death is currently unknown, Dorset Police have confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. Paul’s family, friends and other members of the S Club request privacy at this time.’
The Mail can reveal that on Friday morning a member of the team of Simon Fuller, the group’s manager, 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 Wednesday April 6).
Career: 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 (pictured February 2023)
The source added, “Hannah couldn’t even speak about the news, her boyfriend has been having the conversations that need to be had.
“She’s heartbroken, this comes out of nowhere and she’s just deaf.”
Mr Fuller, who formed the band in 1998 and headlined the forthcoming reunion tour, was said to be “deeply upset” by the news.
Meanwhile, the band paid tribute to Cattermole on social media.
Posting a black and white photo of the singer in the band’s heyday, they wrote, “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 grateful for the amazing memories we have. He will be missed so much by each and every one of us.’
Cattermole, who made a living as a tarot card reader after falling through hard times after leaving the group in 2002, is said to have been in “good spirits” when he was in a park near his home last Wednesday was seen by Swanage. A bystander said he was smiling and enjoying the sun.
Meanwhile, Fuller, who formed the group in the late ’90s, broke his silence on Cattermole’s death on Saturday, saying: “Paul was a beacon for a generation of pop music fans and he will be greatly missed.
A source said: “Paul was so excited, despite appearing awkward on the outside, that he was looking forward to reliving some of the old, happy times with the group; (S Club 7 pictured in 1999)
The source added: “As a result, there are some members of S Club 7 who are determined that the tour will go ahead. For them it seems like the perfect way to pay tribute.” (S Club 7, pictured in 2000)
“We are all deeply shocked and saddened by this news.”
His bandmates were said to have been “concerned” for his well-being shortly before his death.
Cattermole previously left Loose Women viewers in tears as he opened up about his living on the brink of subsistence, revealing he was living on pasta and couldn’t afford a new shirt for his TV appearance at the time.
The singer revealed that he had fallen on hard times and struggled with money ever since he was declared bankrupt in 2015.
Following the sad news of his death, a video of his 2019 Search for Love performance at the First Dates Hotel has resurfaced online.
In the clip, Paul sweetly admitted he would trade his “success” and “fame” at the S Club for a chance at “a true love” before going on the date.
Paul, who left the S Club four years after her catapulted fame, said recognition and money aren’t the “road to happiness,” but finding love is.
He said: “Would I have traded success and number one for true love? I think yes, yes
Heartbreaking: His ex-girlfriend and S Club 7 colleague Hannah Spearritt was said to be ‘in shambles’ after the band’s management team broke the news to her (pictured together in 2004)
“Fame is not the path to happiness, money is not the path to happiness, being with someone you love is.”
The singer went on to say that although he’s had a number of brief relationships, including with S Club co-star Hannah Spearritt, he wanted to find true love.
The seven-piece pop group released a string of hits including Reach, Don’t Stop Movin’.
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 finally disbanding a year later.
Their TV show Miami 7 first aired in 1999 and garnered around 90 million viewers before the band appeared on Hollywood 7 in 2001 when Paul started dating co-star Hannah.
Hannah and Paul’s friendship dates back to the formation of the noughties group after they became friends at the National Youth Music Theater as teenagers.
They initially kept their romance a secret, 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 reunited for a few months in 2015 before ending their relationship for good.