Rachel Stevens on how S Club 7 will mark 1st anniversary of Paul Cattermole’s death & addresses Hannah Spearritt rumours
NEXT month marks the first anniversary of S Club 7 singer Paul Cattermole’s shock death.
The chart-topping Nineties pop stars were left shattered after the singer was found dead at his home in Dorset aged 46 on April 6 — six months before their sold-out reunion tour was set to see them take to the road again.
And band member Rachel Stevens has revealed that 12 months on from the day of his passing, the group will be commemorating their much-loved bandmate.
In a chat with The Sun on Sunday while on tour in Los Angeles, Rachel, 45, said: “I can’t believe it is coming up to a year, but we will absolutely be raising a glass.”
She added: “We celebrate him all the time and that has been another thing that has been so special about coming back together.
“Paul was so excited about this tour, and it has turned into such a tribute to and celebration of him.
“It has been very emotional, but it’s a very cathartic way of sharing him and his memories.”
Paul’s body was found at his home and it was later revealed he had passed away due to heart issues.
The group had reunited just seven weeks earlier to announce The Good Times Tour for their 25th anniversary.
It is currently in the States after it launched in Manchester last October.
Rachel said: “We as a band had some time together afterwards because we were at the beginning stages of putting the tour together.
‘S Club brings people a lot of joy’
“We all took a step back and spent a lot of time talking and put everything on hold, just to process it really, and be together and supportive of each other while being mindful and respectful of Paul’s family.
“Then the tour took on a whole new direction and meaning and it became a real celebration and tribute to him.”
The chart-topping group was rocked again a month later when Hannah Spearritt, 42, who had dated Paul, pulled out of the live shows as she struggled with her mental and physical health.
Hannah, Paul, Rachel, Tina Barrett, 47, Jon Lee, 41, Bradley McIntosh, 42 and Jo O’Meara, 44, formed as S Club 7 in 1998 and had a string of huge hits between 1999 and 2003, with four No1 singles including Don’t Stop Movin’ and Never Had A Dream Come True.
Speaking to this newspaper in October, Hannah said she had not heard from her S Club bandmates since she told them of her unexpected decision.
I think S Club brings people a lot of joy and the music is so happy
Rachel Stevens
But responding to rumours of a feud, Rachel said: “We have shared so many amazing experiences together, but it is whatever people decide to do individually.
“Something you learn as you grow up is to respect people’s decisions and respect people’s differences.
“What has been really special about coming back together as a band is not only celebrating what we have achieved, but I think S Club brings people a lot of joy and the music is so happy.
“We just have to respect that everyone is different and has different journeys — we support people no matter what.”
Last year it was also revealed that Rachel was dating Brendyn Hatfield, her former skating partner from ITV reality show Dancing On Ice.
She met the US pro in November 2021 when they began training for the programme.
They soon forged a friendship as they competed in January 2022 — becoming the third pair to be eliminated.
A few months on, Rachel revealed her break-up from property developer and childhood sweetheart Alex Bourne on Instagram, shortly before their 13th wedding anniversary.
She later moved out of their North London home, with the couple saying they were now focused on their daughters Amelie, 13, and nine-year-old Minnie.
Then it emerged that Brendyn had become a dad just four months before his relationship with Rachel was revealed.
After splitting from his fellow pro skater wife Jessica, Brendyn had fathered the child during a relationship with a TV executive connected with the ITV family show.
The couple’s son was born in December 2022, with Brendyn named as the father on the birth certificate.
Of her blended family unit, Rachel said: “You navigate it the best you can.
“The most important thing for me and Alex is to make sure that the girls feel safe in it all, and we were talking and communicated that we were there for them and always going to be their parents.
“It is about being honest and open as much as possible in an age-appropriate way and doing the best we can.”
She added: “It is a constant navigation and can be very beautiful too, and it shows kids that it can really work if we all work together and communicate.”
Rachel has found it “difficult” being away from her girls while on tour in the United States.
‘It is so high energy, with full-on dance routines’
She explained: “I miss them a lot, but we FaceTime every day and they were with their dad. We all missed our kids.
“It is difficult, especially when you are far away.”
Rachel also said she has prioritised her health to keep up with the demands of being on tour.
This last tour was an absolute whirlwind
Rachel Stevens
She said: “It is so physical — we are so high energy, with full-on dance routines, and that gives us all the exercise and cardio we need.
“On top of that, it is also trying to eat healthily, keeping hydrated and trying to get as much sleep.
“This last tour was an absolute whirlwind.”
Rachel, who has partnered with Vision Express, said her eye health is of huge importance after she started wearing glasses in her early teens.
She added: “I remember squinting at the board when I was in secondary school and started wearing glasses ever since.
“I like my fashion, so they are a piece for me that I like to incorporate with whatever I am wearing and have a play with glasses and style with my outfits.”
Of their breakage and loss protection cover, she said: “They are one of those things that are so easily lost, damaged or dropped and now having kids as well things get misplaced or broken.”
“This just gives people peace of mind because you just wear them everyday and they are expensive so it is such a great cover.”
Rachel Stevens has partnered with Vision Express to highlight the benefits of its Breakage and Loss Protection Cover.
Vision Express will replace and repair broken designer glasses with 75 per cent off as well as offering 50 per cent off the replacement of glasses that have been lost – fuss free! If you’re looking for a new pair of glasses or you’re overdue for your next eye test, visit https://www.visionexpress.com/book-appointment