The death of singer Paul Cattermole shocked his fans and the members of his former band “S Club 7”. The 46-year-old was found dead at his home in Dorset, England, on Thursday. The cause of death is still unclear, the police only confirmed that there was no suspicious evidence. From 1998 to 2002, Cattermole was a member of the British pop band S Club 7, which was founded by Simon Fuller – the former manager of the Spice Girls.
The sudden death of the 46-year-old should be a shock, especially for band member Hannah Spearritt, reports the British newspaper “Daily Mail”. The 42-year-old was devastated. “She can’t believe he’s no longer with us. Paul has always been and always will be an important part of Hannah’s journey. She’s just beside herself at the moment. Hannah couldn’t even open up about the news. Her boyfriend did the talking that need to be guided. She’s heartbroken. It came out of the blue and she’s stunned,” the Daily Mail quoted a source close to Spearritt as saying.
The British newspaper “The Sun” also refers to sources close to the band. “Everyone is in mourning. Hannah and the rest of the gang broke down upon learning what had happened. No one can believe it. There is a real sense of horror and disbelief.”
Paul Cattermole and Hannah Spearritt had met when they were at school at the National Youth Music Theater in London, he was 17 and she was 13. They later became bandmates at “S Club 7” – and also lovers. The two were in a relationship from 2001 to 2006, and in 2015 they got back together for a short time.
Cattermole left the band in spring 2002, citing “creative differences” as the reason. A year later, “S Club 7” announced their official split. After his exit, Cattermole played in various other bands, but also struggled with financial problems.
In 2018 he sold off one of his Brit Awards, which he won with “S Club 7”, for £60,000 on eBay. He made ends meet with odd jobs, worked for a radio station, appeared on the TV show First Dates Hotel, and most recently ran a YouTube channel devoted to tarot cards.
A musical comeback was also planned: In February, “S Club 7” announced that they wanted to go on a club tour in Great Britain in October of this year – with all former members. Hannah Spearritt proudly announced on her Instagram account that all tickets in advance were already sold out.
After Cattermole’s death, a shadow now hangs over the tour. His former band members probably still want to do the performances – as a tribute to their friend and colleague who died far too early.
Sources: Daily Mail, The Sun
