George Shelley is no longer a member of Union J, his former bandmates have confirmed. Josh Cuthbert, Jaymi Hensley and JJ Hamblett told the Sun that George had refused to commit properly to the group after finishing as a runner-up in I'm A Celebrity in December. But a spokesperson for the singer said it was a "mutual decision" adding that the other Union J members are "jealous" of George.A statement issued on George's behalf said his career now includes being a "regular part" of the Capital FM Breakfast Show, hosting the Brits Red Carpet Live and filming a role in BBC3's Murder in Successville.
Union J: (fromleft) Josh Cuthbert, JJ Hamblett, George Shelley and Jaymi Hensley
"He is an utterly charming and hardworking individual - not a diva in the slightest," it read. "The fact of the matter is that the other members of Union J are simply jealous he has achieved the start of an exciting new career and they have not. "George had agreed to be totally magnanimous towards them, but unfortunately this has not been reciprocated."
George's spokesperson said his bandmates were 'jealous' of his blossoming TV career
Union J's Jaymi, meanwhile, admitted he was "bitter" about the split. "It's heartbreaking," he told the Sun. "I spoke to him the other day and I said I'm heartbroken over this. I am absolutely devastated. This is taking up all my time and affecting my home life. "It brings us down. When you turn up to something and the other person can't be there, or they are turning up late. That makes you not love the project. One negative view can ruin it for everyone. "Josh added that George's "head space was different" ever since he became a breakout star on I'm A Celebrity. "Using a sporting analogy, he wanted to turn up to the big matches but not turn up to training," he said.
Jaymi shared a message for fans on Twitter following the announcement
Jaymi, 26, has since shared a message for fans on Twitter, which read: "I can certainly say this decision has not come from any bad feeling, jealousy or anything else of that nature. I will always support and be George's [friend] and [am] so happy he is being amazing and slaying what he's doing."[It's] just a very sad day that has been blown out of proportion."Union J say they are now planning to replace the 22-year-old with a new fourth member in the next few weeks.