A BANDMATE of S Club 7 singer Paul Cattermole has paid tribute to him after he was found dead at his Dorset home.

S Club 7 star Jo O’Meara has thanked the public for their “love and kindness” following the death last week of her bandmate Paul Cattermole.

Cattermole, 46, an original member of the seven-piece pop group, was found dead on Thursday afternoon at his home in Wareham.

It came shortly after the nineties pop group announced an upcoming 25th anniversary tour which Cattermole was due to take part in.

Sharing a photo of Cattermole on Instagram, O’Meara, 43, wrote: “I just wanted to reach out and thank everybody from the bottom of my heart for the love and kindness you have shown over the tragic passing of our sweetest soul Paul.

“This has been utterly devastating, and I am totally shocked and heartbroken. We have lost someone so incredibly special to us all, and there is a huge sense of sadness that will never go.

“Paul will forever be a huge part of our lives, and I will forever treasure the memories we made. I will love you always Paul, God bless you my darling, rest in forever peace. Love JoJo.”

Dorset Echo: Paul Cattermole in 1999.Paul Cattermole in 1999. (Image: William Conran/PA)

In a statement last week, Cattermole’s family and the band said the singer’s cause of death was currently unknown but police had confirmed there were “no suspicious circumstances”.

S Club 7 were created by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller in 1998, and were known for hit songs including Reach, Don’t Stop Movin’ and their debut track Bring It All Back.

Mr Fuller was among those who paid tribute after news of Cattermole’s death broke.

“Paul was a beacon of light for a generation of pop music fans and he will be greatly missed,” he said.

Cattermole had recently worked at a community radio station in Swanage.

Dorset Police has said: “We were called at 4.41pm on Thursday, April 6, to reports of the sudden death of a man aged in his 40s at an address in Wareham.

“The man’s family have been informed and HM Coroner notified.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and enquiries are being carried out on behalf of HM Coroner.”