The pop world was rocked earlier this year when it was announced that S Club 7’s Paul Cattermole had died, just months before he was set to join his bandmates on a reunion tour.
Paul was found dead at the age of 46 on April 6 at his home in Dorset, with there being no suspicious circumstances around his death – with it recently being confirmed that he passed away of natural causes.
His fellow S Club stars were understandably devastated at his death, none more so that his ex-girlfriend Hannah Spearritt, who was said to be ‘inconsolable’ over the tragic loss of her former love.
This month, it was revealed that Hannah has pulled out of the pop group’s upcoming reunion tour, with band mates Jon Lee, Rachel Stevens, Tina Barrett, Jo O’Meara and Bradley McIntosh continuing on as a five-piece.
After Hannah admitted last month that she couldn’t stop crying’ over his death and with the band continuing the tour in tribute to the late singer, we take a look back at a timeline of the former couple’s romance…
Paul Cattermole and Hannah Spearritt’s relationship timeline: As she pulls out of the S Club 7 tour following his shock death, a look back at their love story (pictured in 2205)
Sad: His fellow S Club stars were understandably devastated at his death, none more so that his ex-girlfriend Hannah Spearritt, who was said to be ‘inconsolable’ over the tragic loss of her former love (pictured in 2004)
1994 – First meeting
Hannah and Paul’s friendship predates the creation of the noughties group after they became friends in their teens at the National Youth Music Theatre.
Hannah was 13 and Paul was 17 when they met, with Hannah later sharing that it was her pal Sheridan Smith, who was also an attendee, who fancied Paul at the time.
1999 – Falling in love
After the band formed in 1998, the group inevitably got close with hours spent together recording and rehearsing,
But Hannah and Paul were closer than most and when the group travelled to LA in 1999 to film their hit TV sitcom Miami 7 Hannah she realised it was much more than a friendship.
Last month, Hannah reminisced on the trip to America where she fell for Paul where they watched the sunsets together after romantic drives and he would play guitar for her.
Cute: When the group travelled to LA in 1999 to film their hit TV sitcom Miami 7 Hannah she realised it was much more than a friendship (the band pictured in LA in 1999)
Romance: The singer and actress, 42, dated Paul for five years from 2001 after being friends and bandmates for a long time
She told how she initially realised she had feelings for her friend when she became jealous of him flirting with someone else during a group ski trip.
Hannah added that the pair later had ‘a bit of a drunken snog one night’ before things really began to develop when they returned to LA.
She told The Sun of their fledging romance: ‘The whole thing was honeymoon-like. I don’t remember a day when I felt bad. Life was really, really good.
‘It was fun from the get-go, it was one long honeymoon period. He also loved to play his guitar for me. He’d just pick up his guitar in the moment, and make up songs and sing to me.’
‘We would go out on long drives together at night, up into the hills to watch the sun set.
2001 – The romance begins
The pair officially began dating in 2001 and they continued to date even after Paul decided to leave the group in 2002.
Hannah previously told how his departure had put a strain on their relationship, but despite this, they continued their relationship for another five years.
Romance: The pair officially began dating in 2001 and they continued to date even after Paul decided to leave the group in 2002 (pictured in 2001)
Paul in the past revealed how they would sneak around to each others houses in the early hours to avoid being caught by fans.
However, in an unearthed interview years later, Paul claimed that their romance was ‘written into their contracts’ and that it didn’t ‘happen organically’ die to their onscreen romance on Miami 7.
2006 – First split
The couple split up in 2006, three years after the chart-topping group decided to call it a day.
Hannah soon jetted off to the US in a bid to pursue an acting career, with Paul later claiming she was influenced to ditch him in a bid to boost her career.
The blonde beauty later began a Andrew-Lee Potts after meeting on the set of ITV’s Primeval, with Paul going on to accuse Hannah of ‘replacing’ him with the actor.
Ups and downs: The couple split up in 2006, three years after the chart-topping group decided to call it a day (pictured in 2005)
Hannah and Andrew became engaged in 2008 after a two-year romance, but things were not meant to be and they split in 2013.
Paul also claimed to suffer loss of earnings after becoming the first member of S Club to leave the band in 2002, and said he felt Hannah ‘prioritised her career’ over their relationship.
2015 – Rekindled relationship and second split
When the band reformed back in 2015 for a Children In Need performance and tour, Hannah and Paul found themselves drawn to each other once again and they got back together seven months later.
Back on: Hannah and Paul rekindled their romance in 2015 after the band reformed for a Children In Need performance and tour and were caught kissing on the London Underground
They confirmed their romance after they were caught kissing on the London Underground.
Their renewed relationship came shortly after Hannah’s split from personal trainer Adam Thomas in June of that year, with Adam going on to accuse Paul of jumping into his bed ‘before it’d got cold’.
However, the romance was not meant to be and Paul went on to dump Hannah after just three and a half months as he suspected she sill had feelings for former fiancé Adam.
2023 – Repairing their friendship after a seven-year feud
Following their last split, Paul and Hannah didn’t speak to each other for seven years, though Paul has sometimes spoken publicly about their relationship.
In 2017, Hannah hit out at her former love for discussing their romance as she took to Twitter to write: ‘Cringe. Someone’s broke again…. Hilarious! #tragic’.
However, upon the announcement that S Club 7 were reforming once again, the pair made steps to repair their friendship earlier this year.
They secretly met for a coffee in January where they agreed to put the past behind them ahead of the upcoming reunion tour, which was to mark the group’s 25-year anniversary.
A source revealed to MailOnline: ‘Hannah and Paul met in January to resolve their issues following years of disputes.
Reunited: (L-R) Rachel Stevens, Paul, Jo O’Meara, Jon Lee, Hannah Spearritt, Bradley McIntosh and Tina Barrett were gearing up to reform for a 25th anniversary tour later this year
‘They have sorted out their differences and are even on good terms now for the first time since they can remember.
‘The whole group are doing the reunion tour and it was important for them to move forward so no one felt awkward. Everyone wants this to be a time for all involved to relive the magic and make great memories.’
April 2023 – Reflecting on her first ‘true love’ after his death
Memories: Following Paul’s death last month, Hannah went on to reflect on their past romance, calling him her ‘first true love’ (pictured in January)
Tragic news: Paul was found dead at the age of 46 on April 6 at his home in Dorset – with it recently being confirmed that he passed away of natural causes
Following Paul’s death last month, Hannah went on to reflect on their past romance, calling him her ‘first true love’.
She said ‘I still even now have moments that you don’t believe it’s [real]…He was my first love, I had a boyfriend previous to Paul but I’d say he was my first true love.
‘I am grateful to have had that time with him, to make peace with each other.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk