Police have said there are ‘no suspicious circumstances’ surrounding the sudden death of S Club 7 member Paul Cattermole.
The singer’s death at age 46 was announced yesterday with the news leaving his bandmates and ex-girlfriend Hannah Spearritt in ‘shock’.
He was found at his £172,000 home in Dorset on Thursday, but the cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.
It comes following years of money troubles which plagued the pop star who previously declared bankruptcy.
Tributes have poured into to remember Cattermole, who produced a string of number one hits with S Club 7.
Paul Cattermole, pictured just days before his death aged 46 which police said is not being treated as suspicious
The singer pictured with fellow S Club 7 member and ex-girlfriend Hannah Spearritt, who is said to be ‘inconsolable’ following his death
He also claimed two Brit awards one of which he later auctioned off as he dealt with money struggles, to the shock of fans.
News of his untimely death broke yesterday, with a statement released by his family reading: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son and brother Paul Cattermole.
‘Paul was found yesterday, 6th April 2023 at his home in Dorset and was pronounced dead later that afternoon.’
The singer, who was last pictured on Wednesday, was set to embark on a reunion tour with S Club 7 in October.
His bandmates were said to be ‘concerned’ for his wellbeing just before he died.
Cattermole previously left Loose Women viewers in tears as he discussed his life living on the breadline, revealing he was living off noodles and couldn’t afford a new shirt for his television appearance at the time.
The singer revealed he had fallen on hard times and had been experiencing money problems since being declared bankrupt in 2015.
Following the sad news of his passing, a video from his appearance looking for love on First Dates Hotel in 2019 has resurfaced online.
In the clip, Paul sweetly admitted 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 quit S Club four years after they catapulted to fame, said recognition and money weren’t the ‘route to happiness’ but love finding is.
He said: ‘Would I have traded the success and the number ones for one true love? I think yeah yeah
Cattermole was found dead at his £172,000 flat in Dorset after he was said to have been excited for S Club’s new tour
Successful: Paul (centre) was part of noughties pop group S Club 7 that featured (LR) Hannah Spearritt, Jon Lee, Jo O’Meara, Rachel Stevens, Bradley McIntosh and Tina Barrett
Cattermole had been set to rejoin the pop group for a new tour announced earlier this year
Heartfelt: Simon, 62, who also managed the Spice Girls , said: ‘Paul was a beacon of light for a generation of pop music fans and he will be greatly missed’
Devastating: While his cause of death has not been revealed, the band’s manager reportedly said that there were ‘no suspicious circumstances’
‘Fame isn’t the route to happiness, money isn’t the route to happiness, being with somebody you love is.’
The singer went on to say although he had had an array of short relationships, including with S Club co-star Hannah Spearritt, he wanted to find true love.
Spearritt is said to be ‘inconsolable’ following his sudden death.
A source said: ‘Hannah couldn’t even speak of the news – her boyfriend has been having the conversations that need to be had.
‘She is inconsolable. This has come out of nowhere and she is simply numb.’
S Club 7 manager Simon Fuller has paid a heartfelt to Paul Cattermole following his death.
Simon, 62, who also managed the Spice Girls, said: ‘Paul was a beacon of light for a generation of pop music fans and he will be greatly missed’.
Before adding: ‘We’re all deeply shocked and saddened by this news’.
The seven-piece pop group was created by Fuller in 1998, before going on to release a slew of hits including Reach, Don’t Stop Movin’ with a reunion tour scheduled for later this year.
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 splitting for good a year later.
Their TV show Miami 7 was first aired in 1999 – getting around 90m viewers, before in 2001, the band starred in Hollywood 7, when Paul started dating co-star Hannah.
Hannah and Paul’s friendship predates the creation of the noughties group after they became friends in their teens at the National Youth Music Theatre.
They first kept their romance private, with Paul later revealing he would sneak to and from Hannah’s house in the early hours to avoid being spotted by fans.
Hannah and Paul split up in 2006 and got back together for a few months in 2015, before calling it time on their relationship for good.