Rachel Stevens has shared how S Club 7 ‘grieved together’ in the wake of the tragic death of their bandmate Paul Cattermole.
Paul was found dead at the age of 46 in April 2023 at his home in Dorset, due to heart issues with no suspicious circumstances surrounding his sudden death.
His tragic passing came just two months after S Club 7 had announced they were reuniting and going on tour.
Instead the band headed out on their The Good Times Tour in Paul’s honour. They performed without Hannah Spearritt, 43, who quit the group following his death.
Speaking about how touring helped them grieve, Rachel told The Mirror: ‘It was amazing to have the tour and be able to celebrate him.
‘It gave us a chance to grieve and to grieve together as well, which was special, and share all our amazing memories of him. It was really healing.’
Rachel Stevens’ has shared how S Club 7 ‘grieved together’ following the tragic death of bandmate Paul Cattermole as she admitted going on tour was ‘healing’
Paul was found dead at the age of 46 in April 2023 at his home in Dorset, due to heart issues with no suspicious circumstances surrounding his sudden death (pictured 2018)
Aside from Paul’s passing, Rachel has also had a rollercoaster few years in her personal life after she split from her ex husband Alex Bourne, with whom she shares daughters Amelie, 14, and Minnie, 11. T
The pair divorced in 2022, and reflecting on the huge life change she explained her life has taken a ‘whole new direction’.
She added: ‘The thing I’ve learnt is to give yourself space for how you feel and to be kind to yourself about it and to talk to people.’
Rachel announced her separation from her childhood sweetheart Alex in July 2022, just one month shy of their 13-year anniversary.
The S Club icon went on to find love again with Dancing On Ice skater Brendyn Hatfield.
Their relationship went official in November 2023 after they were first paired together on the ITV show.
Rachel previously revealed that S Club had group therapy to help cope with the ‘devastating’ death of Paul.
Speaking on the Happy Place podcast, Rachel detailed how the band had therapy together to ‘open conversations’ and ‘share memories’ of Paul.
Rachel said: ‘It gave us a chance to grieve and to grieve together as well, which was special, and share all our amazing memories of him. It was really healing’ (the band pictured in 1999)
The band headed out on their The Good Times Tour in Paul’s honour. They performed without Hannah Spearritt , 43- who quit the group following his death
Rachel previously revealed that S Club had group therapy to help cope with the ‘devastating’ death of Paul (whole band pictured in February 2023)
Opening up about the sessions, she told host Fearne Cotton: ‘It was really good. I think talking is just the best thing ever and it can never be a bad thing.
‘It opens up conversations and it helps you, it’s as simple as that. It was just a really special way to celebrate him and his life, but it was just tragic.’
Rachel said there was no question the tour would not continue, but explained the experience brought her and her bandmates Tina Barrett, Jon Lee Bradley McIntosh and Jo O’Meara ‘even closer together’.
She explained: ‘It brought us even closer together. It was devastating but we just were together actually.
‘Obviously the tour was all happening, there was no talk about it not happening but we just stopped and took a step back. We talked and we were there for each other and that’s all you can do.’
The reunion tour then became a way to celebrate Paul, with the group renaming it The Good Times Tour in tribute to Paul’s song Good Times on their third album.
Rachel said: ‘We really wanted to just be mindful of his family and be respectful. We were talking all the time and sharing memories of him.
Rachel has also had a rollercoaster few years in her personal life after she split from her ex husband Alex Bourne (pictured with ex Alex in 2017)
After splitting from Alex, Rachel went on to find found love with Dancing On Ice skater Brendyn Hatfield (both pictured together last year)
‘The tour took on a whole different meaning and became a really beautiful tribute and celebration of him.’
Paul’s sad passing was announced in a joint statement from his family and S Club that 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.’
