Who are Union J, how many members are in the band and when is their single Alive released?
The lads are set to release their third album later this year after reforming their line-up
UNION J has given fans their first taste of new music as they prepare to continue on as a trio.
But who are Union J and what journey has the boyband been on to get to the place they are at now? Here's all you need to know about the lads...
Who are Union J?
Union J are an English boy band known for their Top Ten pop hits You Got It All, Carry You, Beautiful Life and Tonight (We Live Forever).
The group originally formed in 2011 as a trio, made up of Josh Cuthbert, Jaymi Hensley and JJ Hamblett.
The following year they competed on the ninth series of X Factor, where George Shelley was added to the band.
The foursome finished fourth and landed a deal with RCA Records.
In 2013 they released their debut single, Carry You, followed by their debut album, Union J, which peaked at No6 in the UK Albums Chart.
Their second album, 2014's You Got It All — The Album, peaked at No28 in the charts.
George Shelley left the band in March 2016, and was replaced by Casey Johnson two months later.
Why did George Shelley leave the band?
Union J booted George from the band after they grew tired of his lack of commitment.
The singer's shock exit came after he finished as runner-up on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2015.
Josh told The Sun shortly after George's departure: “I wrote a really strong email. We basically gave him an ultimatum. It was, ‘You’re either in the band or you’re not’.
"George was in a position where he did the jungle, he came off it and his head space was different to ours.
“Using a sporting analogy, he wanted to turn up to the big matches but not turn up to training.”
George fired back, claiming the other boys were jealous of his success.
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Why did Casey Johnson get sacked from Union J?
It was revealed by The Sun that former Stereo Kicks member Casey Johnson had been axed from Union J, just 12 months after joining the band.
New management believed the singer didn't fit the image and decided the group would be better as a trio.
A source said: “Management just didn’t think Casey was right for the band. The realised this over the past few months. It was felt he could never really replace George and the band would be better off as a trio.”
When are the band releasing their single Alive?
Union J gave The Sun the exclusive first listen teaser of their single, Stronger.
They are yet to release the release date and have teased they will be releasing their new album later in the year.
A source told The Sun’s Bizarre column: “Fans have gone crazy for a new album and will continue to support them as a three-piece no matter what.
“It’s an exciting time for them and they can’t wait to show the nation what they’ve been working on.”
In July 2018, the band confirmed their new single Alive would be released this month.