JLS, the headline act at this year’s Summer Ball, have announced that they are splitting up, making their performance at the Union among the band’s last.

After finding fame five years ago on X Factor, Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Jonathan ‘JB’ Gill and Oritsé Williams this morning confirmed that they will be going their separate ways.

On Twitter, Leeds Student Ashley Marshall expressed her concern at the news: “Little Mix drop out of Leeds summer ball. JLS replace Little Mix. JLS split up. OMG now what?”

The boy band released the following statement, revealing plans for a new tour and farewell album:

“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.

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.

We are currently in the studio working on what will be our last album – Goodbye; The Greatest Hits. We will be bringing you a new single later in the year to coincide with the album and the tour.

‘Goodbye; The Greatest Hits Tour’ will be the last time that we will perform together as a 4 and we want to make sure that this tour is the best ever and that we end on a high! We will always remain brothers and friends and we will always be your boys.”

Ellie Parkes