X Factor band G4 has undergone a huge shake up after one member sensationally quit.
The band, which consists of Jonathan Ansell, Mike Christie Duncan Sandilands, Lewis Raines and Matthew Stiff, shot to fame on the very first series of the ITV singing competition.
In a new social media post, G4 revealed Lewis has quit the group and will be replaced by Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall, who won the show in 2011.
Lewis told fans: ‘I would like to convey a warm thank you for all of your support and heartfelt messages over the last few days.
‘When I first joined the group in 2018, I couldn’t believe my luck. I remember being overwhelmed with happiness when I was confirmed as the newest member of G4. To be a part of such an iconic group, which I grew up with, was for me and will always be a dream come true.
Exit: X Factor band G4 has undergone a huge shake up after Lewis Raines sensationally quit
Replacement: In a new social media post, G4 revealed Lewis has quit the group and will be replaced by Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall, who won the show in 2011
‘However, I feel it is now time to say goodbye to this journey and start a new one, away from singing and performing. I have had the best time and I will always 100k back on a career I could never have imagined.
‘Touring the country, singing every night in front of thousands of people has been nothing less than the greatest honour and privilege. I am so grateful for the blessings that I have been given and even now I pinch myself that it was real.
‘But sometimes in life, we need a change and a new challenge. I am looking forward to sharing that change with you all in the coming year.
‘However, I am not disappearing from the group just yet. We still have this year’s magical Christmas tour, which has always been my favourite part of the year.’
At the end of the video, Jai was revealed as the new member of the group, with the boys welcoming him with open arms.
Jai will now being joining G4 as they embark on their 20th anniversary tour next year.
It comes after Simon Cowell dropped Jai after revealing he was ‘disappointed’ he won the variety show.
Simon later apologised to Jai for saying he ‘wasn’t a genuine star’ following his 2011 win.
Lewis told fans: ‘When I first joined the group in 2018, I couldn’t believe my luck. I remember being overwhelmed with happiness when I was confirmed as the newest member of G4’
The BGT judge and the singer came face-to-face during the all stars version of the show, when Jai returned to perform again in the hope of securing a place in the grand final.
After originally saying Jai ‘wasn’t one of the best’ BGT winners, Simon voiced his remorse when the performer took to the stage eight years later during an episode of Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions, centrum set to air on Saturday.
Simon told the Sun: ‘I did feel when I saw him again that he’s the definition of a proud man. He didn’t sulk — he just came back to prove a point. And he did.
‘I knew I had to apologise to him at that moment. It gave me a chance to say something publicly I should have said some time ago.
‘But it was also the fact he had the guts to come back and compete, knowing I wasn’t that supportive the first time he was on the show. I thought, ‘Good for you — you did very well’. I think he’ll get a lot of work off the back of this show.’
Jai received £100,000, performed at the 2011 Royal Variety Performance and was signed to Syco Music following his BGT win.
However by 2012, due to poor album sales, the singer/songwriter was dropped after fulfilling his one-album contract. He then, ironically, bought a house on Fail Avenue.
In 2013 Jai performed at the March & Rally for Scottish Independence in Edinburgh, and in 2014 he was the support act on the Gareth Gates UK tour.
Band: The band, which consists of Jonathan Ansell, Mike Christie Duncan Sandilands, Lewis Raines and Matthew Stiff, shot to fame on the very first series of the ITV singing competition
Throwback: Jai received £100,000, performed at the 2011 Royal Variety Performance and was signed to Syco Music following his BGT win
After Simon slated the singer and suggested that he wasn’t one of their most deserving winners on the show, Jai responded by branding Simon ‘anti-Scottish’.
However it appears that the duo are back on good terms, as following Jais’ most recent performance he receives a standing ovation from Simon.
Jai tells him: ‘You have no idea how much that means — thank you. Thank you very much, Simon, for everything the show has given me.
‘It has given me the lifestyle I can be happy about and the ability to follow my dreams — and I am so thankful for that.’
ITVBritain’s Got TalentXfactor
