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Aston Ian Merrygold (born 13 February 1988 in Peterborough, England) is an English singer. He is a member of boyband JLS, who were runners-up of the fifth series of The X Factor in the United Kingdom.

Early life

Aston Merrygold grew up in Peterborough, where he attended Jack Hunt School.^[1] Whilst still at secondary school, he played football on behalf of England in the European Youth Games. He has 1 sister and 5 brothers.

Music career

In 2002, his mother applied for him to enter Stars In Their Eyes where he appeared as Michael Jackson, singing "Rockin' Robin". Merrygold performed in school productions and after leaving school in 2004 was cast in a new ITV programme, Fun Song Factory.^[2]

During January 2008, before JLS were created, Aston auditioned for hit musical series Britannia High on ITV, making it into their Top 16. However, he was not put through into the television series.^{[citation needed]} He was also shortlisted for this years "BBC Switch Prom King" but lost out to Robert Pattinson. His musical influences include Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Mario, Usher and Chris Brown.^{[citation needed]} He has also stated he has a crush on the Olsen Twins even to this day.^{[citation needed]}

Aston also explained to The Beat Bullying campaign that he was a victim of bullying at the age of 14, when he joined a football team and they made cruel comments about him being black and darker than the rest of the team.

References