Aston Merrygold, known for his charisma and talent, initially aspired to become a professional footballer. However, a nerve issue in his foot redirected his path toward singing and acting. In 2002, he gained early recognition by impersonating Michael Jackson on Stars in Their Eyes, where he finished second. Aston later worked as an entertainer at Pop Star Studios before deciding to focus entirely on his music career. He also appeared in ITV’s Fun Song Factory alongside Laura Hamilton.
In 2008, Aston was persuaded by his friend Marvin Humes to audition for UFO, a band formed by Oritsé Williams. With JB Gill joining, the group renamed themselves JLS and auditioned for the fifth series of The X-Factor. Finishing as runners-up, JLS went on to sign with Epic Records and released four studio albums. The band achieved massive success with five number-one singles and over 10 million records sold globally. They also released Eyes Wide Open, a record-breaking film, before disbanding in 2013.
Aston then embarked on a solo career, inspired by icons such as Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake. Signing with Warner Bros Records, he released his debut solo album Showstopper, with its lead single featured in a Samsung Galaxy S9 advert. He continued releasing music, including the 2017 EP Precious. His talent earned him recognition as Elvis Duran’s Artist of the Month and a performance on NBC’s Today Show.
Beyond music, Aston has made significant television appearances, including as a judge on Sky 1’s Got To Dance and as a competitor on Strictly Come Dancing. He co-founded The JLS Foundation, supporting charities like Cancer Research UK and BeatBullying. With a versatile career and philanthropic efforts, Aston remains a sought-after entertainer for events and festivals worldwide.
