S Club 7 star Paul Cattermole was found dead at his home at the age of 46, just weeks after the band confirmed their reunion tour.
His showbiz friend Sheridan Smith, 41, has now taken to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute to her former roommate.
Sheridan told fans that she “grew up” with Paul at the National Youth Musical Theatre.
She began: “Devastated beyond words.
“We all grew up together in the NYMT; they all lived together for years.
“He was an amazing man and my heart breaks for his friends, family and loved ones. Thinking of Han & Neil and his bandmates too. Too young. Feel sick.”
The musical sensation was far from the only famous face to pay tribute to Paul, as a number of celebrities also shared their grief at his tragic loss.
Lorraine Kelly wrote on Twitter: “This is so sad. Lovely man and he was so looking forward to the #sclub7 reunion.
“Interviewed them all many times and was struck by how gentle and shy he was.”
Hannah Spearitt, 42, his bandmate and former girlfriend is yet to officially comment on the tragic news but is said to be “devastated” over losing her ex, according to sources.
The singer is said to have “broken down” when given the shocking news.
A source confirmed to MailOnline: “She is absolutely devastated.Hannah is inconsolable. This came as a massive shock, and she is struggling to believe he is no longer with us.
“Just as they rekindled their friendship, the worst happened. The band is all in pieces.
“They were all looking forward to the reunion tour and reliving their amazing memories together. Paul has been and always will be a huge part of Hannah’s journey. “Right now, she is just beside herself.”
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Paul and Hannah met prior to their S Club 7 days, both being members of the National Youth Music Theatre in 1994 when Cattermole was 17 and Spearritt was 14.
Sheridan would have also met Hannah, having gotten to know Paul at the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT).
The late singer joined the band earlier this year when they announced their upcoming 25th-anniversary tour, but was found dead on Thursday afternoon at his home in Dorset.
In a statement released to the PA news agency, Paul’s family and S Club 7 said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son and brother Paul Cattermole.
“Paul was found yesterday, 6th April 2023 at his home in Dorset and was pronounced dead later that afternoon.
“While the cause of death is currently unknown, Dorset Police have confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances.
“Paul’s family, friends and fellow members of S Club request privacy at this time.”
Paul was part of S Club 7 alongside Hannah Spearritt, Rachel Stevens, Tina Barrett, Jon Lee, Jo O’Meara and Bradley McIntosh.
In 2014, S Club 7 performed together at Children in Need and the following year, the performers reunited for the Bring It All Back Tour.
In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, Paul said about S Club’s early success: “The style and energy that was portrayed was coming from us, entirely.
“There was no management in that. The actual thing that people were buying into came from us. We created that sort of fun energy on our own.”
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