JLS, the overseas boy band sensation that formed on the U.K. version of “The X Factor” in 2008, has announced that its four members will part ways following a farewell album and tour later this year.
In a message posted on their web site on Wednesday (Apr. 24), the group wrote to fans, “To each and every JLSter, our beloved fans around the world. We wanted to make sure that you heard it from the four of us, that we have decided to bring our time as a band to an end. It has been the most incredible journey over the last 6 years and we have achieved more things than we could have ever dreamed possible. Thanks to all of you guys, your support, your dedication and your love, you have changed our lives forever and we wouldn’t be where we are today without you.”
The group will come to an end following the release of “Goodbye; The Greatest Hits,” which the group is currently working on in the studio and will include a new single later this year, according to the post. In addition, Goodbye; The Greatest Hits Tour will coincide with the album release, and mark the last time that Marvin Humes, J.B. Gill, Aston Merrygold and Oritse Williams perform together as a foursome.
JLS (which stands for Jack The Lad Swing) started out as runners-up on “The X Factor,” losing out to Alexandra Burke two years before One Direction competed on the show. Despite scoring hit singles in the U.K. — their song “Beat Again” was named British Single of the Year at the 2010 BRIT Awards — JLS failed to impact U.S. radio, with their single “Everybody In Love” finding the most success and peaking at No. 38 on the Pop Songs chart. Of their four studio albums, their 2009 self-titled debut is their top stateside seller with 3,000 units sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Although they will split as performers, the four members of JLS will continue to collaborate on their JLS Foundation charity, which has worked closely with Cancer Research U.K. since 2010. “As always we will continue to support each other and we hope you will enjoy watching us grow individually in our new chapters going forward,” the group wrote on its web site. “We want to look at this final year as a celebration of all that we have achieved together. We hope you can look back and remember all the great moments that you have been responsible for.”