Boyband JLS have announced they are parting ways, after five years together.

The quartet; Aston Merrygold, 25, Marvin Humes, 28, Jonathan "JB" Gill and Oritsé Williams both 26, shot to fame after being discovered on ITV’s 2008 series of the X Factor. They were runners-up to Alexandra Burke.

The group have been said to have pondered for months before deciding to bow out with dignity with a farewell tour after five years together.

Marvin, the eldest of the Jack The Lads Swing quartet - who recently got married to the Saturdays' singer Rochelle said to The Sun,

We wanted to finish on a high. We’re finishing with an arena tour — our third arena tour — and that is a massive achievement.

Throughout their short-lived career the lads have embarked upon many successes which include; a string of music awards, five number 1 singles - more than any other act from a reality TV talent show, selling more than 10 million records and 1.5 million concert tickets.

The group released a statement to their fans this morning.

To each and every JLSter, our beloved fans around the world. We wanted to make sure that you heard it from the four of us, that we have decided to bring our time as a band to an end.

It has been the most incredible journey over the last 6 years and we have achieved more things than we could have ever dreamed possible. Thanks to all of you guys, your support, your dedication and your love, you have changed our lives forever and we wouldn’t be where we are today without you.

We are currently in the studio working on what will be our last album – Goodbye; The Greatest Hits. We will be bringing you a new single later in the year to coincide with the album and the tour.

Goodbye; The Greatest Hits Tour will be the last time that we will perform together as a 4 and we want to make sure that this tour is the best ever and that we end on a high! We will always remain brothers and friends and we will always be your boys.

The boys will say goodbye with a December farewell tour and a greatest hits album.