Pop acts including members of Steps and Blue have paid tribute to Paul Cattermole following his death.
The former S Club 7 member, 46, was found at his home in Dorset on Thursday and pronounced dead later that afternoon.
Dorset Police confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Cattermole has been hailed as a “beacon of light for a generation of pop music fans” in moving tributes from colleagues.
The official Blue account posted on Instagram stories: “Rest in peace, @paul_cattermole. It was a pleasure knowing you and sharing this journey with you! You will never be forgotten. Antony, Duncan, Simon and Lee.”
Ian H Watkins from Steps shared a video of himself broadcasting a radio show, tagging S Club 7 with a heartbroken emoji.
He told followers: “Sending you all a big hug. Take care everybody. Stay safe.”
Fellow Steps member Lisa Scott-Lee shared an Instagram story with a picture of Cattermole alongside the caption: “I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of Paul. My love goes out to all his bandmates @sclub7 and his family, friends and followers.”
In a statement announcing the death on Friday, 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, 6 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.”
Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, Cattermole was a member of the National Youth Music Theatre, where he met fellow S Club member Hannah Spearritt.
Originally created by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller in 1998, S Club 7 had a string of hits including “Reach”, “Don’t Stop Movin’” and their debut “Bring It All Back”.
The band was also known for the BBC children TV shows Miami 7 and L.A. 7, which saw them play fictionalised versions of themselves in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Cattermole became the first member to leave the group in 2002, forming nu-metal band Skua with old school friends, only for them to split a year later after failing to land a record contract.
Cattermole, with former S Club 7 members Jo O’Meara and Bradley McIntosh, formed S Club 3 in 2008, playing live shows at universities, nightclubs and holiday camps.
