S Club 7 rebrands as five-piece following death of Paul Cattermole

Pop band S Club 7 has rebranded as 'S Club' following the death of member Paul Cattermole just weeks after the group announced a reunion tour to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Hannah Spearritt has since announced she will not join the tour, which will see the band become a five-piece.

Member Jon Lee said in an emotional video on the band's Instagram: "You've probably noticed that there's only five of us here today, and although Hannah will always be part of S Club 7, she won't be joining us on this tour.

"We wish her all the best for the future."

The number seven was removed from the band's social media and website on Sunday.

In a video, introduced by Jon, he said: "Sorry its been a while since you've heard from us. But in all honesty, we've been in a bit of shock and it has taken us a while to find the right words to describe how we feel about losing our brother, Paul."

Fellow member Bradley McIntosh added: "We're all still in so much disbelief. Paul was a big brother to us, all of us and you guys out there. He truly was a unique specimen of human being. No one could replace our Paul, he lives on inside in each and every one of us."

The group was reduced to tears in the two and a half minute video, in which they said the upcoming tour will be renamed the Good Times tour, in memory of their former bandmate.

Tina Barrett said: "We are calling the tour the Good Times tour in tribute to Paul because that was that was his song and all the fans know it was his song so it just feels right."

Founding member Mr Cattermole died at his home in Dorset on April 6 aged 46.

He quit the pop group in 2002, partly due to pressures within the group, and also to focus on his nu metal band, Suka. At the time an S Club 7 spokesperson said the split was "amicable".

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