S Club 7’s Paul Cattermole was tragically found lifeless at his flat back in April, left a legacy of sorrow and debt despite his fame and success with the world-conquering band. At just 46, Cattermole was found in dire financial straits, with debts towering over £20,000.
Despite fronting a band that shipped a staggering 10 million albums worldwide, Cattermole’s wealth was woefully lacking. Band members have previously revealed the harsh reality of their income, claiming a modest £150,000 annual salary, in stark contrast with the record label and executive earnings.
Fans of the pop group were in shock as it was revealed Cattermole was holding out hope for a financial lifeline from the much-anticipated S Club reunion. Sadly, that was not to be.
Paul’s legacy, far from the anticipated riches of a pop star’s life, amounted to a mere £15,000 for his loved ones. His total assets tallied a modest £35,773, with debts surpassing £20,000. Official documentation reveals a painful £15,489 remained for his loved ones after all deductions.
The band, a brainchild of pop maestro Simon Fuller, ran the charts from 1998 to 2003, boasting four UK No.1 singles such as the iconic ‘Never Had A Dream Come True’ and ‘Don’t Stop Movin’. However, despite the chart-topping tunes, members found themselves on rocky ground. Hannah Spearritt, Paul’s former sweetheart and bandmate, was left homeless last year.
The singer had previously opened up about his financial trials and heart problems. The reunion tour was anticipated to be the boon he so desperately needed.
Paul’s sudden death at his humble £172,000 home in Wareham, Dorset, came as a shattering blow to his bandmates, mere weeks after the group announced their reunion. The band, including Rachel Stevens, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, Tina Barrett and Jo O’Meara, found themselves in the throes of grief and disbelief.
Bankruptcy loomed over Paul since 2015, and a brief reunion that year brought fleeting hope of financial respite. A desperate bid saw him auction his two Brit Awards for a hopeful £65,000, only to be left high and dry by a bidder who failed to honour the deal.
In a candid 2019 interview, Paul laid bare the reality of the music industry, expressing frustration and disappointment about record executives reaping the lion’s share of profits. He revealed his bandmates were barely paid for Hasbro dolls using their likeness.
Cattermole also lamented his unsuccessful attempts to boost his income through reality TV. He was candid about wanting to participate in shows like ‘Dancing On Ice,’ ‘Strictly,’ and ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here,’ but to no avail.
An inside source lamented, “It is absolutely terrible that S Club made tens or hundreds of millions but Paul died like this, in near poverty.”
In a gut-wrenching revelation of the stark contrast between public perception and personal reality, the tragic demise of Paul Cattermole, a star who once topped charts and hearts, is a sobering reminder of the ruthless underside of the music industry.