Josh Cuthbert announces he's leaving Union J with heartfelt statement
He was in the band for seven years
Union J's Josh Cuthbert has announced that he's leaving the band after seven years together. Josh, along with JJ Hamblett and Jaymi Hensley, first rose to fame as Triple J on The X Factor in 2011, where they were joined by George Shelley to form Union J.
Although George left in 2016, the other three stayed together and recorded their third album together, releasing two tracks earlier this year - but Josh has now revealed that he wants to explore other 'opportunities' in showbiz.
Taking to Instagram, Josh wrote a heartfelt statement to reveal he would be leaving the group, writing, 'My journey with Union J has been one to remember, and something I will cherish forever. But after seven years, I feel like now is the right time for me to leave the band.'
Swipe through to see all the winners' singles from The X Factor...
2004: Steve Brookstein - 'Against All Odds' (Over 25s)
Steve Brookstein's winning single debuted at Number 2 in the UK charts behind Band Aid 20's 'Do They Know It's Christmas', the following week it went to Number 1.
2005: Shayne Ward - 'That's My Goal' (16–24s)
Shayne Ward was the second winner of the competition and released an original song - whereas most winners released the covers. 'That's My Goal' became the fastest-selling song of 2005!
2006: Leona Lewis - 'A Moment Like This' (16–24s)
According to reports, 1 million copies of the single were pre-ordered by stores and it was downloaded 50,000 times within 30 minutes of being available online! It reached Number 1 in both the UK singles and download charts.
2007: Leon Jackson - 'When You Believe' (Boys)
The single was another successful winners' single getting to Number 1 in the UK and becoming a Christmas Number 1.
2008: Alexandra Burke - 'Hallelujah' (Girls)
Alexandra's 'Hallelujah' became a Christmas Number 1 for the fifth X Factor winner.
2009: Joe McElderry - 'The Climb' (Boys)
After winning the competition, Joe McElderry's version of 'The Climb' went to Number 1 in the UK. The song was a cover of the Miley Cyrus song which was also released in the same year and featured in Hannah Montana: The Movie.
2010: Matt Cardle - 'When We Collide' (Boys)
Matt Cardle won the seventh series of The X Factor and released his cover of 'When We Collide' (original title - 'Many of Horror'). The song reached Number 1 in the UK and became the second bestselling single of 2010.
2011: Little Mix - 'Cannonball' (Groups)
They might be releasing Number 1 songs here, there and everywhere, but back in 2011 Little Mix won The X Factor and released 'Cannonball'. Unlike past winner's singles, the song wasn't released during the week of the popular Christmas Number 1 battle. The song debuted at Number 1 becoming the fastest-selling single of the year.
2012: James Arthur - 'Impossible' (Boys)
James Arthur's cover of 'Impossible' was released immediately after he won the ninth series of The X Factor. The single became the fastest-selling winning single from The X Factor!
2013: Sam Bailey - 'Skyscraper' (Over 25s)
'Skyscraper', originally sung by Demi Lovato was released by 2013's X Factor winner, Sam Bailey. The song became a Christmas Number 1 with all proceeds from the single going to Great Ormond Street Hospital and Together for Short Lives.
2014: Ben Haenow - 'Something I Need' (Over 25s)
Once again The X Factor winner hit the top spot for Christmas in 2014.
2015: Louisa Johnson - 'Forever Young' (Girls)
Louisa Johnson released her version of 'Forever Young' however, unlike many of the previous winners' singles it didn't make the top spot, only reaching Number 9 in the UK.
2016: Matt Terry - 'When Christmas Comes Around' (Boys)
Written by none-other than Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge, 'When Christmas Comes Around' was The X Factor's second ever original song to be released as the winner's single. It debuted at Number 3 in the UK.
2017: Rak-Su - 'Dimelo' (Groups)
'Dimelo' was yet another original single to be released as an X Factor winners' single. It reached Number 2 in the UK, being kept off the top spot by Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect'.
2018: Dalton Harris featuring James Arthur - 'The Power of Love'
He continued, 'I'd like to apologise to my incredible fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right for me and follow my heart. I have decided to leave, because I want to continue to develop my individual opportunities across entertainment and music.
'I have so many beautiful memories with them and have friends for life in the boys and wish JJ and Jaymi the best for the future. Thank you for your continued support, it’s down to you all that I am where I am today and you all mean the world to me.'
Fans were, of course, distraught at the news, and took to the comments section to share their sadness. One wrote, 'Wishing you all the success and love in the world,' as another added, 'You got to do what’s best for you, good luck for your future.'