Union J member Jaymi Hensley has announced he has quit the band following the cancellation of their upcoming tour.
The group, originally consisting of Jaymi, JJ Hamblett, George Shelley and Josh Cuthbert, shot to fame on The X Factor in 2012 before officially disbanding in 2019.
They were then due to reunite for a special set of shows across the UK this spring before the plug was quietly pulled on those plans.
Disappointed fans allegedly only found out the cancellation after receiving emails from Ticketmaster alerting them to the news that that their tickets had been refunded.
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday night, Hensley, 33, revealed that he was ‘no longer continuing’ on his journey with Union J as he shared that he could not ‘sit and watch the legacy that I have tried to sustain for a decade decay any further’.
He shared a signed note on his page, which began: ‘To all the Union J fans, it is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to say I am no longer continuing on my journey as a member of Union J.
‘Since day one, our family of fans has brought me love, light and support and has been the main reason for me being such a driving force within the band.’
Referring to their special 10th anniversary show ahead last year ahead of the proposed 2023 tour, he added: ‘Last year was the best year of my life being back out on stage with the boys and being in front of you all again.
‘I hoped and dreamed of all possibilities afterwards, but this has not happened for several reasons, and therefore, out of love & respect to the family of fans and my integrity as an artist, I cannot sit and watch the legacy that I have tried to sustain for a decade decay any further.’
‘We were strongly advised not to say anything, however we now realise that wasn’t the best decision or advice.
‘We are really sorry for any upset that has caused. We will bring you more news as soon a we can,’ the statement read.
The group added: ‘We really do love and appreciate our fans more than anything and playing for you live is what we live for.
‘Once again, a million apologies, this has been a tough weekend for us all as well as for you guys. We will make it up to you soon.’
Union J were put together as a four-piece on Simon Cowell’s ITV talent show X Factor alongside Shelley, who quit the group in 2016.
They were initially signed to RCA Records and released their first single, Carry You, in June 2013, shortly followed by Beautiful Life.
In 2016, Shelley was replaced by former Stereo Kicks singer and fellow X Factor star Casey Johnson, but the band’s bosses soon dropped him.
Shelley was due to rejoin his bandmates for the reunion shows later this year.
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