Union J (originally Triple J) are an English boy band consisting of members Josh Cuthbert, JJ Hamblett, Jaymi Hensley, and previously, George Shelley and Casey Johnson, until their departures in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The band formed in 2011, originally as a trio known as Triple J, consisting of Cuthbert, Hamblett and Hensley. They auditioned for the ninth series of the British television music competition The X Factor where they met Shelley who joined the band at the judges' request. They finished fourth and were subsequently signed to Sony Music subsidiary RCA Records.[1] Their debut single "Carry You" was released in June 2013. Their self-titled debut studio album followed in October 2013 and peaked at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart.

Union J left RCA Records in April 2014 and signed with Epic Records.[2] In the lead-up to the release of their second album You Got It All – The Album, the band released two singles: "Tonight (We Live Forever)" and "You Got It All".

In March 2016, Shelley left the band[3] and Johnson was announced as his replacement in May. In April 2017, Johnson left Union J and the band's remaining members announced that they would continue as a trio.[4]

Contents 1 History 1.1 Formation and The X Factor (2011–12) 1.2 Union J and Magazines + TV Screens Tour (2013) 1.3 You Got It All – The Album (2014) 1.4 2015–present: The Vamps Arena Tour, An Audience with Union J, Shelley's departure and third album 2 Products and endorsements 3 Members 3.1 Current members 3.1.1 Josh Cuthbert 3.1.2 JJ Hamblett 3.1.3 Jaymi Hensley 3.2 Former members 3.2.1 George Shelley 3.2.2 Casey Johnson 4 Discography 5 Tours 6 Awards and nominations 7 Further reading 8 References 9 External links History Formation and The X Factor (2011–12)

In 2007, Blair Dreelan of Alpha Dog Management met 14-year-old Josh Cuthbert, who was auditioning for the fourth series of The X Factor. Cuthbert failed to progress to the bootcamp stage, but Dreelan believed that he looked like a pop star and was impressed by his voice: "I began to sort of work with him on various little projects like just sort of recording stuff because I've got a recording studio in Swindon."[5] In 2011, Cuthbert and Jaymi Hensley met whilst studying performing arts at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in Westminster and later decided to put a band together. Former jockey Jamie "JJ" Hamblett[6] was later added to the group by Dreelan, and they named themselves Triple J (due to each member sharing the same initial).[5]

In May 2012, after eight months together, Triple J and soloist George Shelley both auditioned in London for the ninth series of The X Factor. Triple J performed Rihanna's international hit "We Found Love", whilst George covered an acoustic version of Britney Spears' "Toxic" – in which he also incorporated his guitar. Both acts progressed to the next stage of the competition, receiving positive critique from all judges present.[7] Bootcamp saw Shelley perform Labrinth's "Earthquake", competing against female contestants; Charlie Cammish and Meg O'Neill. Triple J first sang Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger", before contending for the final place at judges' houses with GMD3 (later District3). They covered Chris Brown's "Yeah 3x", but were sent home after GMD3 were eventually chosen for judges' houses. However, following Rough Copy's forced withdrawal from the show, Dreelan was contacted by The X Factor producers with an offer for the group to return, on the basis that Shelley was added to the three-piece. All parties accepted the offer and the band – now a four-piece – became Union J and advanced to judges' houses alongside fellow recalled Times Red.[8]

The band's first performance as a four-piece was an acoustic cover of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe".[9] This earnt them a place in the live shows, and they instantly proved popular with social media users, garnering 46% of all online discussion regarding The X Factor after being announced to compete at judges' houses. In week 1 of the live shows, Union J performed Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now". Despite negative feedback from the other judges, they progressed through to the next week after placing fourth in voting statistics behind Christopher Maloney, Jahméne Douglas and Ella Henderson, respectively.[10] In week 4, the group received the fewest public votes with Jade Ellis, but were saved by Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger and Walsh. They found themselves in the bottom two again in week 6, against District3, but were saved for a second time by Barlow and Scherzinger, with Walsh refusing to vote (as he mentored both acts). Union J were in the bottom two for a third time in week 8, where they were saved by Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Walsh over Rylan Clark. They were eliminated in the semi-final on 2 December, finishing in fourth place. It was later reported that their winning single would have been a cover of Demi Lovato's "Skyscraper",[11] which is featured on their debut album.

Performances on The X Factor Show Track(s) Theme Result Triple J George Shelley Auditions "We Found Love" "Toxic" Free choice Progressed to Bootcamp Bootcamp (1) "Moves Like Jagger" "Earthquake" Bootcamp challenge Rebranded/progressed to judges' houses Bootcamp (2) "Sweet Child o' Mine" N/A Free choice Judges' houses "Call Me Maybe" Progressed to live shows Live show 1 "Don't Stop Me Now" Heroes (songs inspired by the Olympic Games) Safe (4th) Live show 2 "Bleeding Love" / "Broken Strings" Love and heartbreak Safe (7th) Live show 3 "When Love Takes Over" Club classics Safe (8th) Live show 4 "Sweet Dreams" Halloween Bottom two (8th) Live show 4 results "Perfect" Free choice Safe (3/4 majority vote) Live show 5 "Love Story" Number-ones Safe (4th) Live show 6 "Fix You" Best of British Bottom two (6th) Live show 6 results "Set Fire to the Rain" Free choice Safe (2/3 majority vote) Live show 7 "Call Me Maybe" Guilty pleasures Safe (4th) Live show 8 "The Winner Takes It All" ABBA Bottom two (4th) "I'll Be There" Motown Live show 8 results "Run" Free choice Safe (3/4 majority vote) Semi-final "Beneath Your Beautiful" Free choice/someone special Eliminated by public vote (4th) "I'm Already There" Free choice/songs to get you to the final