Oritsé Williams - a former member of the band JLS - has been charged with rape, according to West Midlands police.
Williams, 31, from Croydon, London, was arrested in December 2016 after allegedly assaulting a 20-year-old woman in a hotel room after a gig. At the time, he was on tour promoting his new solo album at Gorgeous club in Wolverhampton.
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Williams was first arrested in 2016 Getty Images Mike Marsland
JLS' Aston Merrygold took to Instagram and appeared to show support for his former bandmate, writing, "These 3 guys... The nicest, most humble, caring, selfless, hardworking (I could go on..) people I’m lucky enough to call family! No matter what we are brothers like it or not! And we stand in each other corner".
Rochelle Humes, who's married to JLS' Marvin responded to Aston's post, "Always!!"
Williams' management team 10 Worlds Music, released a statement denying the accusations back in 2016, telling the Mirror, "All we wish to say at this time is that Oritsé denies the allegations against him. The matter is in the hands of the police and it would be totally wrong for us to comment any further."
Aston Merrygold (left) posted his support for Williams (right) Dave J Hogan
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Williams was then released on bail several times, but has now been charged with rape.
A second man, Jamien Nagadhana, 31 has also been charged in connection with the assault.
West Midlands police told Birmingham Mail, "Oritsé Williams, aged 31, from Croydon, London, has been charged with rape.
"Jamien Nagadhana, aged 31, from Hounslow, London, has been charged with assault by penetration."
Both men will appear in court next month.
Victim Support is an independent charity that provides specialist practical and emotional support to victims of all crime, including rape, whether or not the incident has been reported to the police. For confidential help and advice you can call the charity’s free Support line on 0808 16 89 111 which is open 24/7, or find out more information on their website.
X FACTOR stars JLS were back in the news today for all the wrong reasons after Oritsé Williams was charged with raping a fan.
The South London four-piece were the first boyband to really make an impact on the show and went on to to rack up an impressive run of number one singles before parting ways in 2013.
Roger Crump - The Sun 5 JLS split in 2013 after five years together, but where are they now?
Here, we take a look at the band's extraordinary rise to the top which saw them come second in the fifth series of the X Factor.
And we also chart their very different fortunes since the split
JLS History
JLS stands for Jack the Lad Swing and the band first came to the public's attention during the fifth series of The X Factor in 2008.
They finished as runners-up to Alexandra Burke but were quickly signed by Epic Records.
Their first two songs - Beat Again and Everybody In Love - were number ones.
They scored a further three number one singles and all four of their albums made it into the top three.
In 2013, the group decided to call it a day, having sold more than six million records in the UK and ten million worldwide.
Aston and Janette perform series of tricky lifts during a Salsa to Despacito on Strictly
Rex Features 5 Aston Merrygold has released a number of solo singles and took part in Strictly Come Dancing last year
Aston Merrygold
Baby-faced Aston, 30, released his debut solo single, Get Stupid, in May 2015 but the song had a resurgence earlier this year when it featured in the TV commercial for Samsung's Galaxy S9 smartphone.
Aston has released a further six singles and has also been a judge on dance talent show, Got To Dance.
In 2017, the singer signed up for Strictly Come Dancing and was partnered with Janette Manrara.
But the couple were voted off in a shock move by the judges in week seven after finding themselves in the dance off with Molly King and AJ Pritchard.
In his personal life, Aston had son Grayson Jax in January this year with fiancee Sarah Lou Richards.
The couple became engaged in December just weeks before their son's arrival.
He has just embarked on a Rip It Up tour of the UK with fellow former Strictly stars Harry Judd and Louis Smith.
PA 5 Marvin Humes is a TV and radio presenter with a show on Capital FM
Marvin Humes
Marvin, 33, made a move into TV presenting after JLS split, and has hosted The Voice UK as well as episodes of This Morning.
Alongside wife Rochelle, Marvin has co-presented BBC's Children in Need appeal since 2016.
He is also a regular guest reporter on Surprise Surprise.
His main role since his boyband days though, is working as a DJ on Capital FM and he currently hosts a late night show from Monday to Thursday as well as an slightly earlier evening programme on Fridays.
Marvin Humes confirms JLS WILL perform together again following split
Marvin was most recently seen on BBC genealogy show, Who Do You Think You Are? where he explored his British and Jamaican heritage.
The star married Saturdays singer Rochelle in July 2012 at Blenheim Palace.
The couple have two daughters, Alaia-Mai, five, and Valentina Rose, 18 months.
5 JB Gill presents CBeebies show Down on the Farm and has also co-hosted Songs of Praise since last year
JB Gill
JB was the first to release solo material after the band split, dropping single Best Night of my Life in January 2014.
But he decided to focus on his other love - agriculture - and has his own turkey farm.
This lead to him becoming one of the main presenters on CBeebies show, Down On The Farm in 2015.
He has also appeared on Countryfile and since last year, he's been a presenter on BBC's Songs of Praise.
JLS star GB Gill slams X Factor's Honey G and claims she can't sing
JB has also appeared on a number of reality shows since the band split including Celebrity Masterchef in 2014.
He took part in Channel 4 show, The Jump in 2015 and last year participated in ITV show Dance Dance Dance with wife Chloe, finishing third.
JB and Chloe started dating in 2008 and married in May 2014.
A few months later in September 2014, they welcomed son Ace, while daughter Chiara was born in July this year.
Getty - Contributor 5 Oritsé Williams embarked on a solo career after the band split but last night he was charged with raping a female fan
Oritsé Williams
Oritsé, 31, started his own entertainment company - Overthrow Recordings - soon after the band split.
He released his first solo single under his new stage name - OWS - in June 2015, called Waterline.
The track featured American rapper Pusha T and left him on the verge of potentially cracking the charts Stateside.
But his world has come crashing down lately, after The Sun revealed today that he had been charged with raping a female fan.
JLS star Oritse Williams charged with raping fan in hotel room after concert
Oritsé a pal, also 31, allegedly attacked a waitress, 20, after a Wolverhampton gig, something he strenuously denies.
The singer was bailed several times as cops probed the December 2016 incident at Wolverhampton’s four-star Ramada Park Hall. It followed his gig at the city’s Gorgeous club to promote solo album Waterline.
Officers last night revealed he has now been charged with rape and his friend with assault.
After his initial arrest, the singer’s management firm 10 Worlds Music said: “Oritse denies the allegations.
“The matter is in the hands of the police and it would be totally wrong for us to comment any further.”
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Oritsé Williams was one of the founding members of hugely successful boyband JLS.
On September 12 2018 the 31-year-old was charged with raping a fan in a Wolverhampton hotel and faces court on October 11.
The father-of-one has yet to comment on the charge.
Here's everything you need to know about the former pop star.
Who was Oritse Williams in JLS?
Alongside Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes and JB Gill, Oritse came second to Alexandra Burke in X Factor 2008. Credited with being one of the founding members of the group.
(Image: NCJ)
Oritse, who hails from Hammersmith, West London, teamed up with Marvin Humes, who he knew had music business experience to form the boyband before taking them on to X Factor.
They were hugely successful and topped the UK singles chart five times before going on to sell four UK top three albums.
In 2013 they released a greatest hits compilation, followed by a farewell arena tour across the UK - their last gig as a foursome was in the same year at the 02.
They also won two Brit awards and sold ten million records worldwide with hits like Beat Again, She Makes Me Wanna and Love You More.
After the group split Williams went solo, releasing a single Waterline, featuring American rapper Pusha T.
Is he married?
(Image: JLS Instagram)
Oritsé Williams is not married and it is unclear if he is dating anyone. His last known girlfriend was model Aimee Jade Azari back in 2014. The pair have a child together.
When was he charged with rape?
Oritsé Williams was charged on September 12 2018.
The London-born pop singer, 31, allegedly sexually assaulted the 20-year-old waitress after performing at a gig in Wolverhampton.
He was arrested on December 2, 2016, and subsequently bailed twice.
His friend, Jamien Nagadhana, has also been charged with sexual assault over the same alleged attack in December 2016.
West Midlands Police said on September 12: "Police have charged two men with sexual offences following an allegation of rape at a Wolverhampton hotel in December 2016.
"Oritse Williams, aged 31, from Croydon, London, has been charged with rape. Jamien Nagadhana, aged 31, from Hounslow, London, has been charged with assault by penetration."
Both men are due to appear at Walsall and Aldridge Magistrates Court on October 11.
Former JLS member Oritse Williams has been charged with rape over an alleged attack on a fan in a hotel room after a gig in Wolverhampton.
The 31-year-old singer was arrested by police on 2 December 2016 the morning after performing in the city.
An allegation of rape and sexual assault was made by a 20-year-old woman following the concert at a nightclub.
A statement released at the time of the pop star's arrest, by his representatives from 10 Worlds Music UK, which looked after Williams, said the singer denied the accusations.
West Midlands Police said Williams, from Croydon in London, has now been charged with rape.
A second man - Jamien Nagadhana, also aged 31, from Hounslow in London, has been charged with sexual assault.
Both will appear at Walsall and Aldridge Magistrates Court on 11 October.
Williams found fame on television talent show the X Factor in 2008, but has pursued a solo career since pop/R&B boyband JLS broke up in 2013.
