Contact Form

 

Who is Oritse Williams, when was he in JLS and when was he charged with rape in Wolverhampton?


AT one point JLS were the UK's biggest boyband - until one day they announced they were splitting.

We delve into the history of the London group and why they broke up...

Ken McKay 4 JLS shot to fame in 2008 on the X Factor

When did JLS break up? What is the former band's background?

JLS formed in 2007 before they went on the fifth series of the X Factor in 2008.

The boys did well in the competition and placed second to winner Alexandra Burke.

Despite huge UK success, which included five studio albums, six million records in UK and 10 million worldwide, as well as five MOBO wins and two Brit Awards, they never managed to crack the American market.

By 2013 they were working on their fifth studio album and later announced it would be their last album and they would say goodbye after their tour at the end of that year.

A statement on their official website on April 24, 2013 thanked their fans for their continued support.

The boys revealed to Alan Carr during an interview that same year that they had decided to break up to ensure they went out "on top".

They officially split on December 22, 2018 following the final gig of their Goodbye Tour at London's O2 Arena.

James Glossop - The Times Glasgow 4 The group was made up of JB, Marvin, Oritse and Aston (from left to right)

What does JLS stand for?

The were originally called UFO - which stood for Unique Famous Outrageous.

They then named themselves Jack the Lad Swing - which combined the phrase Jack the lad and the urban music of new Jack swing.

After this they shortened the name to JLS.

ITV 4 The band became a huge hit until they split in 2013

Who were the original members JLS?

The band consisted of four members:

Oritse Williams

Oritse, 31, from Hammersmith, West London, was considered the driving force behind the group.

He was the one who decided to form a boyband and teamed up with Marvin Humes, who had music business experience.

Marvin Humes

Marvin, 33, was born March 18, 1985, and is a singer and TV and radio star.

Since JLS split he has forged a successful career as a presenter, working on The Voice UK and This Morning as well as his regular Capital FM show.

He is married to Rochelle Humes, formerly of the girl group The Saturdays.

JB Gill

Jonathan Benjamin, 31, - or JB to his mates - was born December 7, 1986 and is a singer and dancer.

He spent the first five years of his life in Antigua before moving to England with his family.

Since the breakup of the band he has bagged a job hosting Songs of Praise.

Aston Merrygold

Aston, 30, was born in 1988 to a Jamaican dad and a British mum and grew up in Peterborough.

The star initially had aspirations towards professional football and played for England in the European Youth Games, however, he developed a nerve problem in his left foot, and turned to performing instead.

After his time in JLS he found success on Strictly Come Dancing.

More on Music ALL RISE The lowdown on Simon Webbe who's the first member of Blue to get married... HOUSE MUSIC Here's what you need to know about the Big Brother theme tune ROD'S RETURN Rod Stewart is going on tour in 2019 - here’s how you can get hold of tickets TAKE ME TO CHARTS Meet Irish musician Hozier - what's his real name and when's he on tour? Spiritual awakening Spiritualized faces middle age with love on new album And Nothing Hurt JUNGLE FEVER Jungle reveal how finding love and heartbreak inspired new album For Ever POP FEST The lowdown on the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 CONCERT CARNAGE Here's what happened at Dua Lipa's concert in China where fans were removed SOUPED UP Bowling For Soup 2018 UK tour - here's how to get tickets BEFORE general sale DOLLY THE MUSICAL The FULL lowdown on new West End show Dolly Parton's 9 to 5: The Musical bun in the oven The lowdown on Noel Fielding's girlfriend Lliana Bird BOOM BOOM POW The lowdown on Black Eyed Peas star apl.de.ap

What were JLS' biggest songs?

The boys had numerous top ten hits during their career, these included:

Everybody in Love (2009)

Beat Again (2009)

Take a Chance on Me (2011)

One Shot (2009)

She Makes Me Wanna (2011)

The Club is Alive (2010)

Eyes Wide Shut (2010)

Love You More (2010)

Do You Feel What I Feel (2011)

Proud (2012)


Get celebs updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email

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.


JLS star Oritse Williams has been charged with rape

The 31-year-old singer was arrested in 2016 for allegedly raping a 20-year-old after performing at Gorgeous club in Wolverhampton. Oritsé was bailed twice at the time but has now been charged with rape. A second man, Jamien Nagadhana, 31, has also been charged in connection with the incident. A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “Police have charged two men with sexual offences following an allegation of rape at a Wolverhampton hotel in December 2016.

Oritse Williams was arrested for allegedly raping a fan in 2016

Oritse Williams shot to fame in boyband JLS

“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 are due to appear before magistrates on 11 October. After Oritsé’s arrest two years ago, the singer’s management firm 10 Worlds Music said: “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.”

Shortly afterwards, the JLS star said he would be stepping back from his charity work, adding: “Unfortunately, the press speculation is likely to be unhelpful to the charities I work with and the decision I have taken is with their best interests in mind.” Oritsé shot to fame on the X Factor in 2008 in group JLS with pals Marvin Humes, Aston Merrygold and JB Gill. The boyband finished runners-up to Alexandra Burke in the ITV competition but went on to have a very successful career. The group sold ten million records and landed five No.1 singles and four top three albums in the UK.

JLS came runners-up on X Factor in 2008

Total comment

Author

fw

0   comments

Cancel Reply