JLS 'felt at home on The X Factor'

Rex Features

JLS star Aston Merrygold has said that it was strange performing on The X Factor.

The singer explained that the band had forgotten that they were guests on the show rather than contestants.

"When we got there, we were on our way to the contestants' dressing rooms because we totally forgot," he told the Daily Mail. "Then when we were backstage and the video started, we thought it was just like the old days.

"They announced J-L-S and we had massive smiles on our faces. It was like, 'Wow, we're home!'"

Meanwhile, Oritsé Williams praised Louis Walsh, who mentored the band during their time on the programme.

"He says, 'I'm so proud of what you're doing now, I always knew you were going to have a career after The X Factor'," he explained. "He always reminds us never to change. He says, 'Like I said from the beginning, stay humble, be nice guys and you'll have a good career. Don't change'. That's the thing we took from Louis."

The group were also complimentary about Walsh's fellow judge Simon Cowell.

"We've got nothing but respect and admiration for him," Williams added. "He was very supportive of JLS, and if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be here now."