Paul started writing lyrics again early in the new millenium. During the course of album production, he gave up his long standing vice, drinking, partly to preserve his voice, partly because in typical Paul fashion he decided it was time to stop. The band's next album, 'Painting It Red', was ready for release by the Autumn of 2000. It charted at No. 2, and the band began touring. However, half way through the dates, Jacqui, now a mother of two, decided that she needed more time with her family and left the band. This was confirmed to many shocked fans in a documentary on BBC2, 'Paul's Gang'. The band continued the tour without Jacqui, leading to some comical moments as Paul and Dave swapped lines on such duets as 'Perfect 10' and 'A Little Time'.
2001 was a quiet year for the South, as they searched for a new female singer. Paul was also busy with his solo project, under the interesting pseudonym 'Biscuit Boy aka Crackerman'. In the Autumn, an updated Greatest Hits album was announced, 'Solid Bronze'. Although the leading single, 'The Root Of All Evil', failed to chart inside the top 40, the album did reasonably well, with a considerable number of weeks inside the top 20. Paul rounded off the year with an appearance on Jools Holland's New Year programme.
Albums released: Painting It Red, Solid Bronze
Singles released: Closer Than Most, The River/Just Checkin' , Root Of All Evil
Tours: Painting It Red Tour.