James Morrison cancels all work commitments after wife's sudden death

James Morrison is believed to have cancelled all work commitments and new music plans following the sudden death of his wife Gill Catchpole at their family home.

The 39-year-old singer had posted a picture on Instagram of him playing his guitar in front of a screen just last Thursday, captioning it: 'New Year, new adventure…'

But just hours later on Friday, the body of 45-year-old mother-of-two Gill Catchpole was found at their property in the Gloucestershire village of Whitminster.

Morrison had faded from the public eye in recent years, although did go on a 22-date 'Greatest Hits' tour in 2022 and played festivals including Kew The Music in London.

And it seems he had been planning new music, given that the social media photo showed him in front of recording and mixing equipment.

Now, a source has told The Sun that Morrison, 39, will focus on caring for his two daughters Elsie, 15, and Ada Rose, five, after cancelling all work commitments.

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Ms Catchpole, 45, who had been married to Morrison for 17 years since 2006, had been pictured without her wedding ring and was looking for a new home shortly before she died.

She had spoken of her 'ups, downs and heartache' and was reportedly looking for a property in Whitminster shortly before her death.

Ms Catchpole was also running a successful café in the village, called the Cotswold Sandwich Box.

Speaking recently about her life since a kidney transplant, she said the life-saving operation came around the time her husband returned to the limelight with a greatest hits album and festival appearances.

He has endured a series of family tragedies. Morrison disappeared from the music industry for some time after losing his father Paul, an alcoholic, in 2010 and his elder brother Alexis and nephew Callum within three years.

Morrison and his family said they were 'devastated' by Ms Catchpole's death. The day before the tragedy, the singer-songwriter shared an image of himself recording guitar music on Instagram with the caption: 'New year, new adventure'.

The couple had been together for around two decades, and met after Ms Catchpole moved into Morrison's mother's home as a lodger.

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Ms Catchpole's death has come around 14 months after she had a kidney transplant in 2022, which she admitted had left her shattered but she praised her family for 'picking up the many pieces of my life'.

She had shared a post on her catering business's social media in November last year expressing excitement at getting the venture going after the transplant.

She wrote: 'Well, what can I say? What a difference a year makes. This time last year I was having my kidney transplant and a year on after many ups downs and heartache I am here owning my own business.

'At the start of this year I myself never saw this coming. For anyone out there struggling I can tell you from experience it does get better. Thanks to my amazing family and friends that have been there through it all and picked up the many pieces of me and my life. You all know who you are... today I feel blessed.'

Gloucestershire Police are not treating her death as suspicious. 

A spokesman said: 'Police were called to Whitminster in Gloucester at around 9.10am on Friday following concerns for the welfare of a resident.

'The body of a woman in her 40s was found within an address. The death is being treated as non-suspicious. The coroners and woman's next of kin have been informed'.

Morrison, born in Rugby, Warwickshire, has sold seven million records since he found fame in 2006 with his triple-platinum debut Undiscovered.

He scored three more top ten albums, and won the Brit Award for best British male in 2007.

His debut single was also his most successful – You Give Me Something – reached the top ten in nine countries including number five on the UK Singles Chart.

Morrison is also a songwriter for other artists, including Demi Lovato, Olly Murs, Kelly Clarkson, and Clay Aiken.