Think back to 1999. The neon, the cargo pants, and that "S Club Party" beat that felt like it was everywhere because, well, it was. If you were there, you remember how S Club Seven members seemed like the happiest people on the planet. They were a manufactured pop group, sure, but they had this weirdly authentic chemistry that made you believe they were actually best friends living in a Miami beach house.
But pop stardom is rarely as shiny as the music videos.
Over the last two decades, the narrative around Bradley, Hannah, Jo, Jon, Paul, Rachel, and Tina has shifted from "bubblegum pop stars" to a much more nuanced, sometimes heartbreaking story of the British music industry. We’ve seen reunion tours, tragic losses, and the kind of career pivots you’d never expect. People still search for where they are now not just out of nostalgia, but because their story says a lot about how we treat young stars.
The Original Lineup and Why It Worked
Simon Fuller didn’t just want a band; he wanted a brand. He’d already done the Spice Girls, so he knew the drill. The genius of the original seven was the diversity of their "vibes." You had Rachel Stevens, who was clearly being positioned as the breakout fashion icon. Then there was Paul Cattermole, the guy with the indie-rock soul who always looked like he’d rather be playing a guitar in a garage than doing synchronized hand choreography.
It worked because they weren't just singers. They were actors. Between Miami 7 and L.A. 7, we grew up with them. Honestly, the show was basically a long-form commercial for their personalities.
Paul Cattermole: The Heart and the Hardship
It's impossible to talk about the group now without starting with Paul. He was the first to leave in 2002, citing a desire to get back to his "rock roots" with his old school band, Skua. At the time, it felt like a betrayal to fans. Looking back? It was a cry for authenticity.
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Paul’s later years were notoriously difficult. You might remember the headlines when he put his Brit Award on eBay. It wasn't a stunt; he was genuinely struggling. He was open about the fact that despite the multi-platinum records, the S Club Seven members weren't actually millionaires. The contracts of that era were notoriously brutal. When Paul passed away in April 2023, just as the group was prepping for a 25th-anniversary tour, it shattered the "S Club" illusion forever. He was only 46.
Rachel Stevens and the Solo Pivot
Rachel was the one the tabloids loved. She was the "face." When the group split in 2003, she was the first to land a massive solo deal. "Sweet Dreams My LA Ex" was a genuine banger. It peaked at number two on the UK charts, and for a second, it looked like she was going to be the British Britney Spears.
But solo stardom is fickle. After two albums, the momentum slowed. Rachel eventually pivoted to reality TV, which is the standard "Plan B" for 2000s icons. She did Strictly Come Dancing (and was brilliant at it) and Dancing on Ice. Nowadays, she’s more of a lifestyle influencer and radio presenter. She’s maintained that polished, "girl next door" image, but it’s interesting to see how she’s distanced herself from the more frantic energy of the pop years.
Hannah Spearritt: From Pop to Prime Time
Hannah was the other big breakout. She and Paul were the group's "it couple," a relationship that was very real and very documented. After the band, she actually became a legitimate actress. She starred in Primeval for years, playing Abby Maitland. It was a rare successful transition from pop star to "taken seriously on a TV set."
However, her relationship with the group has been... rocky. Recently, she’s spoken out about the lack of financial security she felt even at the height of their fame. She didn't join the most recent "Good Times" reunion tour following Paul's death. It’s a complicated situation. Sometimes, the history is just too heavy to revisit for a paycheck.
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The Reality of the "Pop Contract"
People always ask: "Where did the money go?"
It's a valid question. S Club 7 sold over 10 million albums. They had a hit TV show. They had merchandise, lunchboxes, the whole bit. But the S Club Seven members were essentially employees of 19 Entertainment. They were on salaries. While Simon Fuller’s empire grew, the members themselves were reportedly earning around £100,000 a year at their peak.
That sounds like a lot until you realize they were working 18-hour days, had no privacy, and the career lifespan of a pop group is about four years. Once the "S Club" brand stopped being the priority, the income dried up.
- Bradley McIntosh: He’s been the most consistent "loyalist." He’s almost always involved in the spin-off tours (S Club 3, anyone?). He’s also worked behind the scenes as a producer and songwriter.
- Jo O’Meara: Probably the strongest vocalist of the bunch. Her career hit a massive wall after the Celebrity Big Brother controversy in 2007. It’s a textbook example of how a "reality TV" pivot can go horribly wrong. She’s spent years trying to rebuild her image and has focused on her solo music and animal welfare.
- Jon Lee: Jon went the West End route. It was a smart move. He’s performed in Les Misérables and Jersey Boys. The theater world is much kinder to former pop stars than the radio world is.
- Tina Barrett: Tina was always the "mysterious" one. She’s released solo music intermittently and has been a staple in the reunion lineups. She’s stayed relatively quiet compared to the others, avoiding the tabloid drama.
The 2023 "Good Times" Tour and the Future
When the group announced they were coming back for their 25th anniversary, it was supposed to be a celebration. Then Paul died. The remaining five (minus Hannah) decided to continue as a five-piece, renaming the tour the "Good Times" tour in honor of the song Paul used to lead.
It was bittersweet. Seeing Bradley, Jo, Jon, Rachel, and Tina on stage without Paul (and without Hannah) felt like a different band. They used a lot of video tributes to Paul, which was moving but also a stark reminder of the passage of time.
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They’ve faced criticism, too. Some fans felt the tour was a cash grab; others saw it as a necessary healing process. Honestly, it’s probably both. You can't blame people for wanting to work, especially when they weren't paid what they were worth the first time around.
What We Get Wrong About S Club Seven
The biggest misconception is that they were "talentless." If you watch their live vocals from the early 2000s, Jo and Jon, in particular, were powerhouse singers. They were just wrapped in a very glossy, very commercial package.
Another mistake? Thinking they’re all best friends. They are colleagues who shared an incredibly intense, traumatic, and exhilarating experience. Like any coworkers you haven't seen in 20 years, there’s love there, but there’s also friction and distance.
Practical Insights for the Modern Fan
If you're looking to dive back into the world of S Club, here's the reality of how to engage with them today:
- Support the Solo Projects: Most of the members are active on Instagram and TikTok. If you want to support them directly (where they actually keep the majority of the profit), look for their solo ventures. Jo O'Meara often does acoustic sets, and Bradley is frequently producing new talent.
- Understand the Legalities: When you stream their old hits, remember that the "management" still takes the lion's share. If you want to put money in the pockets of the S Club Seven members, buying tickets to their live appearances or purchasing merch directly from their official sites is the way to go.
- The Documentary Factor: Keep an eye out for independent interviews. Hannah Spearritt’s book Facing the Music gives a much more "human" and less "PR-approved" version of what life was like in the bubble. It's a must-read if you want to understand the mental health toll of 90s fame.
- Check Local Gig Listings: You’ll often find Bradley, Tina, and Jo performing at regional festivals or Pride events. These smaller shows are often where you get the most authentic interaction with them, far away from the massive arena productions.
The story of S Club 7 isn't just about catchy songs and dance moves. It’s a cautionary tale about the music industry, a study in resilience, and a reminder that behind every "perfect" pop group are seven people trying to figure out their lives just like the rest of us. They gave us the soundtrack to a simpler time, even if their own lives were anything but simple.