X Factor’s Union J now – tragic deaths, coming out, arrest and reality TV romps

Union J have been in the public eye for longer than a decade, rising to fame in 2012.

The band, first called Triple J, won the hearts of the nation when they appeared on The X Factor, managing to reach the live shows. However, their dreams were eventually shattered when the band was given the boot in the semi-final.

Since then, the band has gone on to have a number of changes to the line-up and disband, before reuniting in 2022. The group have also released some three studio albums, but have also gone through a host of personal milestones in their lives.

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So let’s take a look at where the members of Union J are now.

Self-acceptance

For much of the band’s time together, it was believed that George Shelley was straight, with him strongly insisting he liked girls. But in 2016, the I’m A Celebrity star officially came out as bisexual, with his bandmates supporting him.

Speaking to the Gay Times in 2018, he came out as gay. George admitted that he realised he was into guys after he shot to fame, and began to frequent gay bars together with co-star Jaymi Hensley. He added that “people knew” at the time, but his situation of being in the public eye put him in a precarious position.

“Because of the situation I was in – in the public eye selling records aimed at young girls – I feel like I was made to believe, and made to think, because of the things I was being told and the way I was conditioned, that it would’ve jeopardised the band’s career,” he said. “And in turn jeopardise my own career.”

George would later be forced out of the closet after a tabloid magazine threatened to expose his sexuality, resulting in a Youtube video addressing the speculation. He eventually revealed his true sexuality, saying he was attracted to both boys and girls.

It came just a year before his sister was tragically killed in a road accident, which completely changed George’s life. Describing her death as “the most awful thing that has ever happened to me”, George said it altered his perspective on life and helped him to accept himself.

“You have to embrace what makes you, you,” he explained. “I’d hate to have any regrets in the future, and to look back and be like, why didn’t you just enjoy it while it was there?”

Raunchy romps

In 2018, new bandmate and former Stereo Kicks star Casey Johnson starred in MTV’s hit show Ex on the Beach. During his stint on the show, he reunited with Geordie Shore star Marnie Simpson, and it was clear from the get go the pair had chemistry.

As the show progressed however, the pair struggled to fully let go of their inhibitions. The twosome would eventually decide to let loose and get down and dirty together on the show – with Marnie being so desperate to sleep with her new flame, she fought a fellow female contestant for the penthouse so they could get to business.

It later turned out that Marnie and Casey had already been together, having both appeared on another MTV show – Single AF. Casey admitted that things “didn’t end very well” on the show, but Ex on the Beach was the perfect opportunity to start over.

And some six years after their stint on the show, Marnie and Casey are stronger than ever, going on to get married and have two children. The couple’s most recent snap came in July, when the couple jetted off to Gran Canaria together, and looked as loved up as they ever did.

Tragedy strikes

In August 2024, tragedy hit the band as Jaymi Hensley’s fiancé fell to his death. The couple had been due to tie the knot in just a matter of weeks, but things changed when his partner fell out of a hotel window.

Olly Marmon, who was 33, was sadly pronounced dead when he fell from the third floor of the Hind Hotel in Wellingborough in Northamptonshire. Police had launched a murder investigation into his death, but dropped the case after two days and Jaymi was released without being charged.

As Jaymi continues to come to terms with the death of his fiancé, he has not spoken publicly about his partner’s passing. However, mum Julie said that Olly was “so special”, adding his loss will be felt by many.

“The relationship I had with Oliver was so special,” he recalled, “he was my best friend. We spoke every single day – he called me mummy, he used to call me his guardian angel.”

Personal struggles

Following on from their time as a band, all the boys went through some personal lows, including Josh Cuthbert. The singer, who almost formed part of The Wanted, admitted that he battled with suicidal thoughts – adding he felt he was “a burden” to his family.

Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2023, Josh admitted that he struggled, especially with opening up to wife Chloe Lloyd on how he was feeling. “It got to the point where I felt like a burden on my wife my family, I felt like I was causing nothing but issues for everyone,” he confessed.

Thankfully, he was able to receive the support he needed, and has praised his loved ones and charities for pulling him through. “It was one of the things that helped me realise there was light at the end of the tunnel – they helped me stay positive and want to be here.”

Similarly, star JJ Hamblett was involved in personal issues with his family, after accusing his ex-girlfriend of faking a rare brain condition. Hamblett said that his son Princeton was due to go under the knife, but interjected and said mum Caterina Lopez was lying about the disease.

JJ was forced to take Caterina to court, where he insisted she had been suffering from a mental illness at the time and was not telling the truth about the conditions to doctors. But after five months in legal drama, judges ruled in favour of Caterina and Princeton was able to get the go-ahead on his surgery to live a normal life.

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk