S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt has paid tribute to her bandmate and “first true love” Paul Cattermole.
The singers were friends before they started dating during their time in the pop group in the early 2000s, when the band had hits with songs including S Club Party, Reach, and Don’t Stop Movin’.
Cattermole was found dead at his home in Dorset on 6 April, just weeks after S Club 7 announced a major reunion tour to mark their 25th anniversary.
S Club 7 in 2002 (L-R): Tina Barrett, John Lee, Spearritt, Cattermole, Rachel Stevens, Bradley McIntosh and Jo O’Meara
Speaking for the first time about his death, Spearritt said her former boyfriend had been “so excited” about performing again.
“Even now, it’s still so raw,” she told The Sun. “I still even now have moments that you don’t quite believe it’s [real].”
Spearritt spoke about their romance, saying the pair became close when the band spent time in Los Angeles.
“He was my first love,” she said. “I had a boyfriend previous to Paul, but I’d say he was my first true love.”
The former couple spent several years together before breaking up and then rekindling their relationship for a few months in 2015.
Speaking about the plans for the reunion tour, Spearritt said she was happy they got to see each other again after not seeing each other for several years following their split.
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“I am grateful to have had that time with him, to make peace with each other,” she said. “Because I know that’s all we both ever wanted… To have had that opportunity to see him, and to see him… well, unfortunately, he didn’t get to do the tour… He was just so excited for the tour.”
Spearritt, now a mother of two, went on to thank fans for the support that has been shown since Cattermole’s death.
“The love that has come through for him has just been absolutely incredible, but the timing of it is just so tragic.”
Following Cattermole’s death, S Club 7 encouraged fans to donate to the National Youth Music Theatre “in lieu of flowers”.
The band – also featuring Rachel Stevens, Bradley McIntosh, Jo O’Meara, Jon Lee and Tina Barrett – had been due to reunite in October for a 25th anniversary tour of the UK and Ireland.
Police have confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Cattermole’s death.