Inside S Club's 'feud' and story behind Hannah Spearritt's mystery tour exit

13 October 2023 , 07:30

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Hannah has spoken out about the real reasons she isn't taking to the stage tonight (Image: WireImage)

British pop group S Club have reunited to open their tour at Manchester's AO Arena, without two of their original members. Bradley McIntosh, Jo O'Meara, Jon Lee, Rachel Stevens, and Tina Barrett took to the stage for their Good Times tour - named in tribute to late band member Paul Cattermole, who sadly died, aged 46, in April this year.

Singer and seventh original member Hannah Spearritt is no longer part of the reunion tour, despite being there in February when it was announced. Fans learned in July that Hannah, 42, was not on the line-up and it was previously alleged that she'd been 'blindsided' and shunned from the group, who had been 'ordered not to speak' to her - claims the band denied.

Hannah was originally part of the reunion tour before her ex-boyfriend and band member Paul sadly died (Dave J. Hogan/Getty Images For X)

In July, the remaining members of S Club touched on Hannah's absence during an interview regarding their upcoming tour. Jon stated "it's a conversation for Hannah to have" but stressed "we've got loads of stuff" happening in the future so the door is always open for her. Tina added how "nothing bad" happened but everyone just needs their own space.

Shutting down rumours of a feud, Jon said: "You can kind of take it with a pinch of salt," while Tina added: "The article's nonsense."

However, a source later claimed there was "little to no chance" of Hannah making an appearance due to the "bad blood" among the pop group. Speaking to The Sun, the insider claimed: "Hannah is devastated. She was pushed out, and doesn't understand why. The rest of S Club has been told not to contact her." The source alleged Hannah was 'binned' following a series of disagreements with band creator Simon Fuller.

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It was also claimed Hannah's bandmates signed their contracts to go on tour "in the blink of an eye", but Hannah "took her time and pushed back on a few details". The source alleged "poor Hannah" very much wanted to take to the stage with S Club again but had "issues which needed resolving".

Hannah addressed many of the claims in an interview this week, ahead of her tell-all book titled Facing The Music, which hits the shelves today. Speaking ahead of the launch, mum-of-two Hannah told The Sun: "I've not spoken to any of them since I left, which is fine. I'm really sad we aren't in touch. They've gone their way and I've gone mine. I wish them all the best."

The star revealed she actually left the group after suffering crippling panic attacks following the death of her 'first love' Paul, and had to pull out after struggling with her mental and physical health. Hannah said she was 'extremely excited' but 'everything changed' when Paul passed away. She apologised to her fans if the news let them down.

Hannah put her decision to quit down to her 'compromised immune system' and said her body "just couldn't cope with everything that was happening". She added: "Will I ever ­perform with them again? I just don't know. I'm glad that the tour is still going ahead and the songs will live on, but now I'm looking ­forward, not backwards."

Nia Dalton