Union J have given George Shelley the boot because he refused to commit to the group.
The original members of the X Factor band – Josh Cuthbert, JJ Hamblett and Jaymi Hemsley – confirmed the news to The Sun.
Josh revealed: “I wrote a really strong email. We basically gave him an ultimatum. It was, ‘You’re either in the band or you’re not’.
“George was in a position where he did the jungle [I’m A Celeb…], he came off it and his head space was different to ours.
“Using a sporting analogy, he wanted to turn up to the big matches but not turn up to training.”
The boys are now planning to replace George with a new member within the next few weeks.
“I would much rather have someone who wants to do it and is committed to do it. I’m not going to lose any sleep over him not being in the band.”
Jaymi added: “It’s heart-breaking. 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.
“I am bitter about things that have happened. He wasn’t putting his the full effort in. One member is not bigger than the band and we feel that there should be no member who is bigger than the project.”
George joined the original members of the band – called Triple J – after he auditioned as a soloist on The X Factor.