JLS announced this year that they were to separate and head out on their own separate ventures, announcing their last ever run of performances along with the news of their split this summer. Marvin Humes, Aston Merrygold, Oritsé Williams and JB Gill performed to over 20,000 fans at the O2 Arena in London as they said goodbye to their fans after enjoying one of the best success stories The X Factor has offered to date.

JLS live
The boys played for one last (hopefully not) performance on Sunday, 22 December

It was an emotional night, but one that didn't lack the excitement and expression of the JLS performances of old. Among the thousands of screaming fans singing along in person for the last time, the boys also performed to a number of famous faces who didn't want to miss out on saying goodbye with the JLS boys. One Direction's Louis Tomlinson was there with girlfriend Eleanor Calder, as was Marvin Hume's wife and The Saturdays member Rochelle Humes. Former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole, who was on the judging panel in 2008 when the boys were first discovered, was also there, Instagramming a picture of the eventing with the caption: "Soooo proud of these boys ! Was here on their first day! It only felt right to be here on their last! Love you boys! #farewellJls #muchlove."

Aston MerrygoldJB Gill
Aston and JB bowed out like pros on the night

The boys performed hit after hit, playing their first No. 1 single 'Beat Again,' singles 'Everybody in Love' and 'The Club Is Alive' and many other classic hits. They ended their set with a cover of the Boyz II Men's hit 'End of the Road,' a fitting number to say good bye to after so many success as a goup.

Marvin HumesOritsé Williams
Marvin and Oritsé were suited up for the final gig

See all the photos of the boys at their last concert

"That hit me like a f**king hurricane! But Seriously from the bottom of my [heart] thank u! For now I'll say 'see you later' forget goodbye! #love," Merrygold tweeted following the performance, with his bandmates following up with their own thank you's.


Williams tweeted: "IM so GRATEFUL!!! THANK u THANK u Alll!!!!!!!" and Gill added: "That was alot... I went fully in with the stage love in that show...So many amazing messages already! Definitely going on with a bang…"

It's been a great five years and the boys will hopefully go on to have success further afield in whatever profession they chose to take up next. Hopefully, this won't be the last time we see them all together.

JLS
So long boys, for now at least!