You don't have to say yes to every promo, boys: JLS have the late-X Factor as they launch Just Love Safe condom range

By SARAH BULL
Updated:

Fans of JLS can already buy T-shirts, jumpers, mugs and keyrings to show their support for their favourite band.

But now there's a new piece of merchandise being sold, as the Everybody In Love singers have launched a new JLS condom range with Durex.

Yesterday Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Oritsé Williams and JB Gill posed for photographs as they released the range, called Just Love Safe, which they hope will encourage people to have safe sex.

Promoting safe sex: JLS (left to right) Aston Merrygold, Oritsé Williams, Marvin Humes and JB Gill pose yesterday as they launch their condom range with Durex

Colourful: The four individual packets of extra safe condoms feature each band member's face and colour

And not only do the four different packs of extra safe condoms feature each band member's individual colour, they also are branded with the boys' faces.

Marvin, who is dating The Saturdays star Rochelle Wiseman, added: 'We came up with the idea of Just Love Safe as we wanted to send a clear message out to fans that are over 16 and sexually active - and that is to always use a condom during sex.'

But the boys realise that launching such a range might lead to some unwelcome attention from over-eager female fans.

Marvin laughed: 'We used to get underwear thrown at us on stage, now we expect flying condom boxes! But it's important to put your love in a glove.'

'We have a responsibility': Aston and Marvin are hoping the new range will help promote safe sex

Strong message: JB and Oritsé have encouraged X Factor judges Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell to get involved

Speaking earlier this year, Aston first set the ball rolling for the condom range, explaining: 'It's all about staying safe. We all think so.

'My mum sends me down a stash of condoms and I dish them out to the lads so none of us have to worry. I'd really be up for doing some kind of campaign about safe sex.'

The boys, who shot to fame appearing on The X Factor in 2008, also encouraged the show's judges Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole to get involved in their safe sex campaign.

JB said: 'We absolutely encourage anybody that wants to help promote this message, so if Cheryl wants to come along and help promote this message... Or Simon. The more the merrier!

'Mr Simon Cowell, we're here promoting safe sex, just love safe, join forces with us... give us a call today!'

Before they were famous: The boys as they were when they shot to fame on the X Factor in 2008

And while some may argue that launching a condom range when they have so many young fans could be seen as irresponsible, the boys argue otherwise.

Oritsé said: 'For us we're in positions of power and we can influence a generation of young people and therefore we are trying to use our position in the right way. We recognise we have a responsibility.'

Another added: 'I think what they are doing is great and it shows how much they care about stuff like this, and the safety of their own fans.

'I support the JLS foundation 100 per cent, I think the boys are doing an amazing job and the charity is for a great cause! I have never been more proud of them!'

It is hoped that JLS's involvement with Durex will help convince young adults to take note of the safe sex message, as figures show that the UK has one of the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancies in Europe.

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Simon Blake, director of sexual health charity Brook, said: 'It is brilliant that JLS, role models for millions of young men and women, have teamed up with condom giant Durex to promote responsible and safe attitudes to sexual health.

'Young people tell us time and time again that pop stars influence them.'

Martyn Ward, managing director of Durex in the UK, added: 'We applaud JLS for taking the responsible step of setting up a charity which will benefit good causes in the UK. It is very responsible of JLS to put their name to a range of condoms – and we were delighted that they partnered with Durex to do so.'

The JLS condom range will be sold to over-16's only in chemists and grocery stores throughout the UK.

Proceeds from the sales of the range will go towards worthy causes through the newly established JLS Charitable Foundation.

JB explained: 'We will not be making any money out of the sale of Just Love Safe. Every penny we make from the sale of the condom range will be put into the JLS Charitable Foundation.'

JB Gill

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