S Club 7 star Paul Cattermole photographed just hours before death

S Club 7 star Paul Cattermole was seen smiling as he walked in the woods near his home just a day before he was tragically found dead.

S Club 7 star Paul Cattermole was seen smiling as he walked in the woods near his UK home just a day before he was tragically found dead.

The singer, 46, enjoyed a stroll in the fresh air in Dorset, in England’s south-west, on April 5 – tragically dying just the next day.

The star had been looking forward to joining his former bandmates for a reunion tour scheduled for later this year.

News of his death rocked the world of showbiz – with tributes already pouring in for the singer.

Paul was one of the original members of S Club 7 when it formed in 1998.

S Club star Paul Cattermole, seen here a day before he was found dead.

He was talent spotted by producers from 19 Management and invited to audition.

Paul left the band in 2002. He formed a new group Skua, but they split a year later.

In 2014, S Club 7 performed together at Children in Need and the following year reunited for the Bring It All Back Tour.

The new dates for the group – known for hits S Club Party, Never Had a Dream Come True and Reach – were to mark 25 years since the band first formed.

Over the five years they were together, S Club 7 had four UK No. 1 singles, one UK No. 1 album, hits throughout Europe, including a top-ten single in the United States, Asia, Latin America and Africa. They recorded four studio albums, released eleven singles and went on to sell over 14 million albums worldwide.

Paul (top left) and his S Club bandmates, seen here in February, had a massive reunion tour booked for later in 2023. Picture: Dave J. Hogan/Getty

In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, Paul said: “The style and energy that was portrayed was coming from us, entirely.

“There was no management in that. The actual thing that people were buying into came from us. We created that sort of fun energy on our own.”

The new tour was due to take place in October, with 11 dates in both the UK and Ireland, including Leeds, Birmingham, Nottingham and London.

All seven original members of the group – Paul, Hannah, Rachel Stevens, Tina Barrett, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh and Jo O’Meara – had agreed to reunite.

A statement from Paul’s family 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.

Paul in the band’s 2000-era heyday.

Ready for the reunion in February this year. Picture: Dave J. Hogan/Getty

“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.”

Meanwhile, the band uploaded a touching Instagram post in memory of their co-star.

The tribute read: “We are truly devastated by the passing of our brother Paul.

“There are no words to describe the deep sadness and loss we all feel.

“We were so lucky to have had him in our lives and are thankful for the amazing memories we have.

“He will be so deeply missed by each and every one of us.

“We ask that you respect the privacy of his family and of the band at this time.”

A Dorset police spokesperson told The Sun: “We were called at 4.41pm on Thursday 6 April 2023 to reports of the sudden death of a man aged in his 40s at an address in Wareham.

“The man’s family have been informed and HM Coroner notified.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and enquiries are being carried out on behalf of HM Coroner.”

This story originally appeared on The Sun and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as S Club 7 star Paul Cattermole photographed just hours before death