THE news of the JLS split will come as a particular shock to Croydon fans, as one fourth of the band, JB Gill, was a former Whitgift School pupil.
Simon Beck, his head of year, said: "Jonathan [his real name] was awarded an All-Rounder Scholarship on entry to Whitgift in 1998 and enjoyed his time here.
"Jonathan was a very cheerful and positive individual who always seemed to make the best of his time at school."
JB, a keen rugby player in his youth, has kept in close contact with Whitgift since he left the school in 2005.
He and the other band members from JLS performed at its annual charity concert in 2007, a year before entering the X Factor competition.
"Boys and staff were busy voting for him each Saturday and JLS just seemed to get better and better" said Rosie Whitfield, his ex-music teacher.
Last November, JB attended an evening of music dedicated to the launch of an international music competition at the South Croydon school.
"It was great to see Jon again and for him to share some of his incredible experiences", said head teacher Dr Christopher Barnett.
"Despite all of the attention he has received and his achievements, he remains very modest and level-headed.
"We are delighted that he seems to have enjoyed his time with JLS and we wish him every success in whatever he chooses to do in the future."
