Paul Cattermole: Tributes paid to ‘gentle and shy’ S Club 7 star after death aged 46
S Club 7 manager and TV presenter Vernon Kay have led tributes for singer Paul Cattermole, who has died at the age of 46.
The singer’s unexpected death was confirmed in a statement from this family and the band, writing: “It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son and brother Paul Cattermole.”
Presenter and radio DJ Kay was one of the first to pay tribute to the hitmaker, describing his death as “so very sad”.
Read more: S Club 7’s Paul Cattermole dies aged 46
“From when I first started in TV all the way through CBBC, T4, Top Of The Pops, Smash Hits Poll Winners, Paul and S Club were always there,” Kay wrote on Twitter.
“He always had time for a chat. RIP.”
S Club 7 on stage at the London Arena in Docklands
‘A beacon of light for a generation of pop music fans’
The band was created by Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller who paid tribute to Cattermole, describing him as a “beacon of light”.
“Paul was a beacon of light for a generation of pop music fans and he will be greatly missed. We’re all deeply shocked and saddened by this news,” he said in a statement.
Presenter and TV personality Rylan Clark also commented: “Sending all the love to you all”.
BBC Radio 2 DJ Owain Wyn Evans added: “I am so sad to hear this. Sending love.”
‘Gentle and shy’
Scottish broadcaster Lorraine Kelly described Cattermole as “gentle and shy” as she joined tributes to the singer.
“This is so sad. Lovely man and he was so looking forward to the #sclub7 reunion,” she tweeted.
“Interviewed them all many times and struck by how gentle and shy he was.”
Meanwhile Loose Woman and GMB broadcaster India Willoughby said that Cattermole was “always my favourite”.
“Cheeky smile. Be with the brightest stars now. Love and condolences to all his family and friends,” she said.
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S Club 7’s Paul Cattermole has died aged 46
‘He will be so deeply missed’
Cattermole was found at his home in Dorset on 6 April and was pronounced dead later that afternoon.
The cause of death is currently unknown, but Dorset Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.
A statement on the S Club 7 official account 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.”
Cattermole and band mate Hannah Spearritt in 2002
Made up of original members Rachel Stevens, Bradley McIntosh, Hannah Spearritt, Jo O’Meara, Jon Lee, Tina Barrett and Cattermole, the band was due to be reuniting in October for a 25th anniversary tour of the UK and Ireland.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the seven-piece pop group had hits including Reach, Don’t Stop Movin’ and Bring It All Back.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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