S Club 7 singer Paul Cattermole has died “unexpectedly” at the age of 46, his family and the pop group announced.

The singer, who weeks ago was confirmed to be part of an upcoming 25th anniversary tour, was found dead on Thursday afternoon at this home in Dorset.

In a statement released to the PA news agency, 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 yesterday, 6th April 2023 at his home in Dorset and was pronounced dead later that afternoon.

“While the cause of death is currently unknown, Dorset Police has confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances.

“Paul’s family, friends and fellow members of S Club request privacy at this time”.

Originally created by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller in 1998, S Club 7 had hits including Reach, Don’t Stop Movin’ and their debut Bring It All Back.

Cattermole was dating bandmate Hannah Spearritt when he left the seven-piece pop group in 2002 after four years to embark on a solo career.

A year later, the seven-piece band disbanded before returning to the spotlight with a medley of their best-known songs for a 2014 BBC Children In Need appeal.

Paul Cattermole death
Presenters Jermaine Jenas (back left) and Alex Jones (back right) with (left to right) with Tina Barrett, Paul Cattermole, Hannah Spearritt, Jon Lee, Rachel Stevens, Bradley McIntosh and Jo O’Meara, of S Club 7 and actor Neil McDermott as the seven-piece group announced their come-back. (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Cattermole later became a member of the spin-off group S Club Allstars, previously S Club 3, with Bradley McIntosh and Jo O’Meara before Tina Barrett was added to the line-up in 2014.

The band was also known for the BBC children TV shows Miami 7 and LA 7,  which saw them play fictionalised versions of themselves in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 2018, Cattermole said he regretted “in a way” putting his Brit Award, which he won with his then-bandmates for best newcomer in 2000, up for sale online after struggling to find work due to a back injury.

He told ITV’s Loose Women he was hoping the eBay bidding, which reached more than £66,000, would be done “quietly”.

The singer said the halting of his pop career had made him consider applying for a job in a shop, and he was “cool with delivering pizza”.

Cattermole added that he wanted to appear on a reality TV show, but that “they just haven’t wanted me”.

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Pop group S Club7 pictured together more than 20 years ago (William Conran/PA)

S Club 7 announced in February this year on BBC’s The One Show that they will open their 11-date tour on October 13 in Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena with all original members.

Other dates include Dublin, Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester as Rachel Stevens and Jon Lee were also announced to hit the stage again with the five other band members.

Paying tribute, television presenter and DJ Vernon Kay said Cattermole “always had time for a chat” and the news was “so very sad”.

Kay, who will take over Ken Bruce’s Radio 2 slot later this year, wrote on Twitter: “From when I first started in TV all the way through CBBC, T4, TOTP, smash hits poll winners Paul and (S Club) were always there.”

Broadcaster Lorraine Kelly wrote that she was “struck” during her interviews with Cattermole by “how gentle and shy” he was in person.

The 63-year-old host of ITV’s Lorraine chat show added she had been “looking forward” to the band’s reunion.