Boyband Union J are a trio for the time being after the departure of George Shelley.
In a Facebook post on Friday entitled Moving Forward, Union J said that "with time, comes change and a difference in aspirations".
"So, as we prepare to go back into the studio to work on new material, George will not be continuing on this journey with us," the message added. "George will now be following his own path and career no longer as part of Union J. This is a mutual decision between the four of us, and we will always remain close."
The post concluded by wishing Shelley "all the best in his endeavours".
The way they were - Union J on The X Factor in 2012
British newspaper The Sun had earlier quoted the group's Josh Cuthbert, JJ Hamblett and Jaymi Hamsley as saying that I'm a Celebrity runner-up Shelley had been sacked because he refused to commit to Union J after returning from the Outback in December. They said they had given Shelley an email ultimatum and described the situation as "heartbreaking".
However, a spokesman for Shelley was quoted as saying it was a "mutual decision" and described Shelley's former colleagues as "simply jealous".
Shelley on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
It is reported that Shelley wants to concentrate on his broadcasting and acting career.
Union J initially entered The X Factor in 2012 as Triple J and then joined forces with Shelley during the show. They finished fourth in the series.
Last month Shelley came out as bisexual in a moving video which was posted online, telling fans he had been "on a personal journey" and that he wanted to start 2016 "with a clean slate".
