Casey Johnson QUITS Union J After One Year AND Splits With X Factor Girlfriend

It’s been a rough old week for X Factor and E4 Stage School alumnus Casey Johnson, who’s not only quit Union J in the past seven days but has also broken up with his long-term girlfriend, Betsy-Blue English.

Casey’s axing from the band came as a shock to fans – but Union J’s new management felt that Casey, who only joined the group a year ago to replace George Shelley, didn’t fully fit into the ‘image’ that they were trying to create.

The news was confirmed on the band’s Facebook page last night, where the boys urged fans to support Casey in his new ventures and praised him as a ‘great friend to the band’ and that Josh, Jaymi and JJ would be continuing as a three-peice:

‘We are sad to announce that Casey is leaving Union J, in order to pursue other opportunities. It’s been a great year, having him onboard, but being in a band is like any other relationship and sometimes it just doesn’t work out.

‘Casey is an incredibly lovely, talented guy and a great friend to the band, so please go support him as well in his next venture and we wish him all the very best for the future.

‘It feels now that the best way forward is to carry on as we originally started out…….as a three piece (Josh, Jaymi and JJ)

‘As always, we’re grateful that we have such amazing fans.’
Casey thanked fans on Twitter, posting: “Thanks to all the fans for all your brilliant support & hope you continue to follow me into a new chapter in my life, love you all.”

It was the first of two blows for the singer as he also split with his girlfriend this week, fellow singer Betsy-Blue English.

After meeting on series 11 of the X Factor, the pair called time on their relationship this week after long distances and time apart proved too much for them both.

Speaking to The Sun, a source close to the couple said: “Casey and Betsy have decided to go separate ways.

“They knew in January their relationship wasn’t working but hoped they would be able to salvage what they had.

“Betsy missed Casey when he was on the road with Union J so it just didn’t work out. She didn’t always like female fans talking to him.

“Casey is keen to pursue more television work while Betsy has been spending a lot of time in the recording studio in LA.

“She’s been getting a lot of attention from American fans but has chosen to stay single in order to focus on her music career.”

Now that he’s a single pringle, Casey is expected to further his television career with a stint on ITVBe’s Love Island later this year.

Let’s hope he’s a bit luckier on the island of love than he’s been this week, eh?