James Morrison makes courageous return to the stage over a year after partner’s death
His ex-partner died by suicide last January.
James Morrison has returned to the spotlight for the first time since his partner’s death in January 2024.
The singer-songwriter was left ‘devastated’ when he found his former fiancée, Gill Catchpole, dead at their home in Gloucestershire at the age of 45.
An inquest later concluded that she took her own life by hanging, having left a series of handwritten notes behind for her loved ones.
Morrison and Catchpole had been together since 2006 and have two daughters, Elsie, born in 2008, and Ada Rose, born in 2018.
After getting engaged in 2006, they wore bands but never married. The couple split a year before Catchpole died.
The Rugby-born musician, known for hits including Broken Strings and I Won’t Let You Go, has been absent from the public eye since the news broke, but made a courageous comeback this week with a gig.
Gill Catchpole took her own life last January, an inquest concluded (Picture: Instagram)Taking to Instagram this evening, Morrison, 40, shared a series of photos of himself playing at In It Together Festival, which took place in Wales.
He wore a smile on his face as he sang and played guitar, the crowd going wild and holding up signs for him.
His caption read: ‘It was an absolute pleasure to perform at @inittogetherfestival last night. Thank you to the wonderful crowd who welcomed me back.’
Promising that he’s now here to stay, the Wonderful World hitmaker added: ‘There is more excitement incoming… turn your notifications ON, sign up to my mailing list, and get ready…’
In the comments, fans were keen to send him warm wishes, with @nathanhead11 writing: ‘This is the best thing I’ve seen/read on social media all year. Love you lad! And the world needs you rocking ????????????????’
@elenballet added: ‘Can’t wait to see you on tour again ????’
Morrison received a warm welcome back at a festival in Wales this week (Picture: Instagram) ‘We’ve missed you!’ fans told him in the comments (Picture: CelebrityPhotosUK/Cover Images)‘This is amazing news. I’ve thought about you and your precious family often ❤️’, wrote @jo_anna_r_.
‘We’ve missed you!!! ????????????’, echoed @jujuqu.
Morrison cancelled all work commitments in the wake of his ex-partner’s death as he grieved and focused on looking after their children.
He was seemingly gearing up to continue releasing music throughout last year, having posted on social media just days before: ‘New year, new adventure…,’ alongside a picture of himself sitting in a studio.
Morrison, who met Catchpole before his success when she moved into his mother’s house as a lodger with her then-boyfriend, previously dedicated one of his records to her.
In 2019, he revealed his album You’re Stronger Than You Know was inspired by her after their youngest daughter was born 13 weeks premature.
Catchpole shared two daughters with Morrison (Picture: Instagram) Morrison proposed to her in 2006 (Picture: Alan Davidson/Shutterstock)‘The album title is for Gill, as she’s been through so much as a woman and a mum, knowing we could lose the baby at any point,’ he said at the time.
‘We’ve been through everything together. She’s been there from the start, when I had nothing, when I was just playing gigs and trying to write songs and not getting anywhere,’ he added to OK! Magazine.
‘She’s a realist and thought I was chasing a pointless career, but she supported me.
‘Without her, I don’t think I’d be here. I don’t think I’d be the person I am. I don’t think I’d be as grounded if I hadn’t met her when I was young.’
He also previously described her as his ‘hero’, with Catchpole’s death marking another devastating loss in recent times.
In 2010, Morrison’s father, Paul, died, while his brother, Alexis, and nephew, Callum, also died less than a year apart.
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