Oritse Williams: Former JLS star steps down from charity work following rape allegations

Oritse Williams will be stepping back from his charity work with immediate effect after he was accused of raping a fan. In a statement released on Monday (12 December) the former JLS member said that he didn't consider it "appropriate" to continue at the current time.

The 30-year-old singer was arrested on 2 December, after a woman claimed he had sexually assaulted her at a hotel, where he invited her and a friend for a drink following his performance at the Gorgeous club in Wolverhampton.

"This work has always been a big motivation for me and is something close to my heart and this has not been an easy decision for me," he said of his decision to take leave from his charity work.

"Unfortunately there has been a lot of speculation in the Press over the weekend regarding events on 2 December 2016. I had taken a conscious decision to avoid talking to the Press about the matter whilst the police are conducting their investigation as I do not think it appropriate to do so. Unfortunately the Press speculation is likely to be unhelpful to the charities I work with and the decision I have taken is with their best interests in mind.

He went on to ask the press to "respect the privacy of everyone involved and their families at this time, and allow the police to continue with their work without further distraction".

Although no charges have been brought against the singer, who denies the allegations, police have confirmed they are investigating an allegation of rape and looking through CCTV footage to identify the two girls.

Williams co-founded The JLS Foundation with former bandmates Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, and JB Gill in 2010. The charity supports the Cancer Research UK, Rays of Sunshine, Brook, Childline, Beat Bullying as well as the MS Society, for which Williams is an ambassador.