Stereo Kicks Split: 'X Factor' Boyband Announce Breakup On Facebook After Failing To Land Record Deal

'X Factor' Boyband Announce Split
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X Factor’ boyband Stereo Kicks have announced they are to split.

The eight-piece group were put together on last year’s series of the ITV talent show, when they failed to make it through Bootcamp as solo acts.

However, after failing to land a record deal after the show ended, the lads have decided to call things a day.

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Stereo Kicks

The group - made up of Casey Johnson, Reece Bibby, Barclay Beales, Charlie Jones, Tom Mann, Jake Sims, Chris Leonard and James Graham - announced the news to their fans in a statement on their Facebook page.

“We all feel the time has come for us to now continue our journeys individually,” they wrote.

“We have learnt first-hand just how tough the industry is as an unsigned act. Unfortunately, due to these circumstances, we are no longer able to carry on as a band.

“Please understand that there is nothing more that you could have done and that this is a situation completely beyond both your control and ours.

“We have considered endless ways of how we might try to make this work, but it is logistically impossible for us to continue as Stereo Kicks. From the bottom of our hearts, we will be forever grateful for all of your hard work, support and love. We can't thank you enough.”


They insisted that they still remain the “best of friends” and “will continue to support each other in everything we do”.

The boys had hoped to land a recording contract after releasing debut single ‘Love Me So’ last month.

The track was funded by their management company, James Grant, but it failed to set the charts alight, entering the top 40 at number 31.

They will continue to play gigs that had already been scheduled for this week, with their farewell performance at Thorpe Park on Saturday 25 July.

Meet The Members Of Stereo Kicks
Barclay Beales(01 of07)
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More astute 'X Factor' viewers might recognise Barclay from last year's series, where his yodelling provided much excitement for Nicole Scherzinger. However, he was ultimately ditched at boot camp, where he yodelled his way through a rendition of Aretha Franklin's 'Respect', to the chagrin of Sharon Osbourne, who branded his performance "a joke". (credit:YouTube/The X Factor)
Jake Sims(02 of07)
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Jake's first audition was notable because of the appearance of his younger sister, who sat on the panel next to Simon Cowell.Unfortunately since then he's been in the newspapers for a very different reason, after a rap, recorded on a mobile phone, featuring racial slurs believed to be performed by Jake surfaced online. (credit:Thames TV/Syco/Corbis)
James Graham(03 of07)
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James's first audition saw him telling Simon Cowell he "doesn't like animals", only to then reveal to the music mogul that he "could learn to like them". He's since claimed he only said this because he was nervous in his audition.Which rather begs the question... does James like animals? Or doesn't he?! WHICH IS IT?! (credit:YouTube/The X Factor)
Tom Mann(04 of07)
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Avid 'X Factor' fans may also recognise Tom from last year's series, where he delivered one of the most somber and depressing versions of 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' we've ever heard, even reducing fellow auditionee Giles Potter to tears.Not quite what Cyndi Lauper had in mind, we don't think... (credit:YouTube/The X Factor)
Charlie Jones(05 of07)
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At just 14 years old, Charlie is the youngest member of the band, but also one of the most popular, especially after his unique take on the Spice Girls classic 'Wannabe' at the arena auditions. (credit:YouTube/The X Factor)
Casey Johnson(06 of07)
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We're guessing Casey is there to fulfill the "cheeky chappy" role in the band, given that he performed an Olly Murs track at his first audition and recently claimed he's "never failed" to get a girl's phone number on a night out. We can now doubt look forward to plenty of #banter from this #lad... (credit:YouTube/The X Factor)
Reece Bibby(07 of07)
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He can sing, he can play the guitar - and he's still only a teenager.In fact, Reece has even performed 'Wonderwall' on stage with Liam Gallagher... but we're sure performing 'Who Do You Think You Are' for Mel B during 'Spice Girls vs Girls Aloud' week is still going to have its appeal... (credit:Thames TV/Syco/Corbis)