S Club 7 have vowed to go ahead with their 25th anniversary reunion tour after the death of bandmate Paul Cattermole.
The 46-year-old – one of the pop group’s first recruits – died on Thursday, hours after being found at his Dorset home.
The group’s management broke the news of his death to bandmates Hannah Spearritt, Bradley McIntosh, Tina Barrett, Jo O’Meara, Rachel Stevens and Jon Lee on Friday morning.
Sources close to Hannah and Jo told us how the six pals were “in pieces” after they learned of Paul’s death, just months before their 11-date UK tour beginning in October.
And they said it was “highly likely” the reunion – announced seven weeks ago – would continue in Paul’s honour.
One source said: “The band are still too upset to talk about this properly but from the little that’s been said, they want the tour to go ahead.
“Paul was one of the first to sign up for the reunion and would always talk about the positive vibe the band managed to create with their music.
“It seems like performing those gigs as they planned would be the best way to pay tribute to his memory. But things are still very raw.”
Another source told us: “Paul really cared about the gigs, he wanted them to be as good as could be.
“He did feel the pressure of that at times, especially as it had been a while since he’d performed on stage. While the others kept performing, he hadn’t. But he was looking forward to getting back out there.”
Paul joined S Club at the age of 22 after falling in love with the stage at the National Youth Music Theatre.
It was here that he met fellow S Club star Hannah – who he later dated.
The group, who sold more than 10 million albums and had four No1 singles, went on to win BRIT Awards for Best British Breakthrough Act and their 2001 single Don’t Stop Movin’.
Paul also performed in heavy metal band Skua, which he formed with his school pals and returned to after he left S Club in 2002.
But he was lured back into the pop world in 2008 as part of S Club 3. And when S Club 7 reformed in 2014, he was quick to sign up.
Ex-girlfriend Hannah was said to be “inconsolable” over his death.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, Paul’s family and S Club 7 said: “It is with great sadness we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son and brother.
“While the cause of death is currently unknown, Dorset police have confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances.
