Aston Merrygold has taken to social media to send his support to his JLS "family" after Oritsé Williams has been charged with raping a fan.
His 31-year-old bandmate allegedly sexually assaulted a 20-year-old fan after performing a gig at the Gorgeous club in Wolverhampton in 2016.
Oritsé was initially arrested on December 2, the morning after the gig, but was later bailed.
His friend, Jamien Nagadhana, 31, of Hounslow, London, also faces a serious sexual assault charge over the same case.
They will both appear before magistrates court on October 11 following the charge.
Today, following the charge, Aston Merrygold has said that he will stand by Oritsé, who he called his "brother".
In an Instagram post, pictured with all three other former JLS band members, he wrote: "These 3 guys... The nicest, most humble, caring, selfless, hardworking (I could go on..) people I'm lucky enough to call family! No matter what we are brothers like it or not! And we stand in each other corner."
Commenting on the post, former Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes, who is married to former JLS band member, Marvin, added her support.
Under the caption, she wrote: "Always!!"
Aston's post has however attracted controversy from fans.
Following his initial arrest, his management issued a statement in which he denied any wrongdoing.
Oritsé is yet to comment on the charge.
Following the pop star’s performance at the Gorgeous club two years ago, the woman and a friend reportedly went back to his hotel where the alleged assault took place, the Mirror reports.
Last night West Midlands Police said: "Police have charged two men with sexual offences following an allegation of rape at a Wolverhampton hotel in December 2016.
"Oritse Williams, aged 31, from Croydon, London, has been charged with rape. Jamien Nagadhana, aged 31, from Hounslow, London, has been charged with assault by penetration."
West Midlands Police previously said they were called to the Ramada Park Hotel in Wolverhampton at 7.45am after a 20-year-old woman claimed she had been raped and sexually assaulted.
A spokesman added: "A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape and a 29-year-old man arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. Both men have been bailed until February, pending further inquiries."
In the wake of his arrest, Oritsé announced he was stepping back from his charity work, including his role at the MS Society.
The singer shot to fame after appearing on The X Factor in 2008 alongside bandmates Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes and JB Gill.
After the band broke up in 2013, Oritsé started his own entertainment company and released his first solo track in June 2015.
