James Morrison’s world shattered by the sudden death of his beloved Gill Catchpole
Singer James Morrison is in deep grief after losing his partner of 22 years, Gill Catchpole, who was found dead at their idyllic home in Gloucestershire on Friday. The mystery surrounding her death has left the family and the fans in shock, as sources say there was no foul play involved.
Gill, 45, was more than just a partner to James. She was his first love, his best friend, and his muse. They met when he was a teenager and she was renting a room from his mother and fell in love they never looked back. They had two beautiful daughters, Elsie 15 and Ada 5, and lived in a stunning 1900 country mansion.
James, 39, poured his heart out to Gill in his 2019 album You’re Stronger Than You Know, which he dedicated to her. He called her his “rock” and his “soulmate”, and thanked her for being by his side through his darkest times. He also opened up about his battle with depression and anxiety, which he said Gill helped him overcome.
Ms Catchpole, who ran a catering business and café, recently underwent a kidney transplant.
One family member told The Sun: “Gill was found dead on Friday at the family’s home in Whitminster.
“James is devastated and is being supported by his family. He is holding it together for their girls but has asked for the family to be left alone to grieve in private.”
“I’m still so in awe of how she got through it. She’s my rock. I’ve known her since I was playing open mic bars and was a van cleaner. I could never replace her.”
He said: “She moved in, I started singing all the songs off that album to her. I was playing all of that stuff on the acoustic guitar.
“I’m not like: ‘I love romance.’ But I do find certain things romantic and the fact that we met each other the way we did. It’s like a little fairy tale or something.”
The village of Whitminster, where the couple lived, is in “total shock” at the news, according to a neighbour. James’s family and friends are rallying around him and his children, who are said to be “heartbroken”.
James, who won a BRIT Award for best British male in 2007, is one of the most acclaimed singers of his generation. He is known for his soulful hits such as You Give Me Something, Broken Strings, and I Won’t Let You Go. He has collaborated with artists such as Nelly Furtado, Jason Mraz, and Gary Barlow.
Fans and fellow musicians have flooded social media with messages of support and sympathy for James and Gill. They have praised them as a “beautiful couple” and a “true inspiration”.