Nostalgia abounds as the news that one of the X Factor’s first prodigal acts – the boyband JLS – is no longer together. The lads first came into prominence after finishing second to Alexandra Burke on 2008’s X Factor competition. At the time, producer Simon Cowell refused to sign the boyband – what a mistake that was. After they signed with Epic Records instead, JLS went on to win two BRIT awards, fill 1.5MILLION seats on tour, sell more than 10MILLION records and have FIVE No1 singles – more than any other reality show competition, according to The Sun.

While we haven’t been hearing much from the band these days, back i their hayday they drove their fans almost to hysteria – with fans frequently injured in the crowd’s excitement at their shows. But now that the five-year recording contract is up, JLS are setting their sights on other goals:

“I’ve got a baby on the way in four weeks, so it’s another celebration for me. But that was also another sign that we were moving on to the next stage in our lives,” said JLS’s Marvin, 28, who is married to Saturdays singer Rochelle. “The last five or so years have been nothing short of incredible. It has been an incredible journey,” he also explained.

JLS will end their reign on a high note though, with a UK arena tour in December. They don’t currently have any reunion ideas in mind, but will keep working together on their charity, the JLS Foundation.

JLS, BRIT Awards 2013
The JLS lads have two BRIT awards under their belts - not a bad way to bow out.