British pop singer Paul Cattermole dies at 46; was member of S Club 7

Associated Press

LONDON — Paul Cattermole, a member of the early 2000s British pop group S Club 7, has died just weeks after the band announced a reunion tour. He was 46.

Cattermole’s band and family said on Friday that “it is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son and brother Paul Cattermole.”

They said Cattermole was found at his home in Dorset, southwest England, on Thursday and pronounced dead later that afternoon.

“While the cause of death is currently unknown, Dorset Police have confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances,” they said.

In a statement posted on social media, members of S Club 7 said they were “truly devastated by the passing of our brother Paul. There are no words to describe the deep sorrow and loss we all feel.”

“We were so lucky to have had him in our lives and are thankful for the great memories we have,” said the band.

Founded in 1998 by Simon Fuller, the music magnate behind the Spice Girls, S Club 7 – like The Monkees – was launched through a pop band TV show, in which the members played fictionalized versions of themselves.

S Club 7 had a string of upbeat UK hits including ‘Don’t Stop Movin'”, the bubblegum pop classic ‘Reach’ and the ballad ‘Never Had a Dream Come True’ which was also a top 10 hit in the UK States.

In 2002, the group performed at a concert at Buckingham Palace to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 50th anniversary on the throne.