JLS marvel at recent chart battle with Adele, Abba and Ed Sheeran: ‘We still pinch ourselves’

JLS hit the stage at Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard (Picture: PA)

JLS may have more than a decade of success behind them but they still get starstruck, admitting their shock at going up against the likes of Adele, Ed Sheeran and Abba on the charts.

Marvin Humes, Aston Merrygold, JB Gill and Oritse Williams returned this year with the first new album in eight years, JLS 2.0., marking their grand return to music.

A lot has changed since the boys were last on the scene, as Oritse told Metro.co.uk at Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard: ‘The family’s extended, the hair’s different! Yeah, so much has changed but also so much has stayed the same, you know, we’re brothers, we love doing what we do, we love performing together on stage.’

He added of their chart battle: ‘We never get used to it, as well. Just seeing how many people come out to support us. I mean, our album 2.0 was just a top five and we were in a chart battle with Ed Sheeran, Adele, Abba, you know, some of the biggest artists in the world and that never… you can never get used to that.

‘You know, we’re still those boys that were auditioning the first time, hoping that people would be into us, could be into our group into our music and yet, just seeing that kind of level of support after years and years of being away. Honestly, for us, it’s such a blessing. We do pinch ourselves, still.’

Marvin then added: ‘Yeah, it’s amazing. I think it’s probably 12 years. I think 2009 was the first time we played the Jingle Bell Ball, so to be back here, and of course we have been, you know, very fortunate to play this venue in the last few weeks on our own tour but of course, but Jingle Bell Ball is the biggest Christmas party of the year. So for us to be here and and be a part of it, it’s incredible.’ 

‘Well it’s the first time I’ve met Joel Corry. I know Marv you’ve done work with him and some of the other boys as well. It’s good to kind of bump into these guys and he said, “You know, I’ve always dreamt of being the fifth member of JLS!” and obviously over the last few years, you’re watching people like him, Anne-Marie, lots of artists, and you’re wishing them well and seeing their success. 

‘And then to come back and hear them say we wish we were involved in what you guys were doing, you know, back then, it’s really humbling. It’s lovely to hear and it’s good to see people on this stage again.’

As the boys took to the stage at Jingle Bell Ball, Simon Cowell’s new series Walk The Line debuted on ITV.

Given their history with Simon, it’d make sense if they were asked to be involved with the series, but Marvin said: ‘Yeah, I think we’ve done our auditioning. We’re done!’

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Reflecting on their comback year, Aston concluded: ‘We’ve had a very, very busy year. And I mean this and, you know, the 2.0 journey for us, you know, is literally, I suppose, this is our last day of official work for the year. 

‘So for the fact, if you know, we’ve got to perform our own music, again, bring the tour to life again, after getting pushed back for so much and then, you know, finish off at the O2 again with Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball, this is, not a bad way to say Merry Christmas!’

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