Jack the Lad Swing may have lost the 2008 X-factor competition to Soul diva in the making, Alexandra Burke, but the future still looks bright for this promising boyband.

And indeed, their appearance on the talent show has just earned them a record deal with Epic Records (home to the likes of B2K, Macy Gray and Michael Jackson, the latter of whom is said to want them to support him for his big comeback in the UK this year...).

JLS's second single, "Mr Soso" is also due out very shortly. In the meantime, they will be touring the UK extensively, with shows booked in the cities of Norwich (January 28th), Nottingham (January 30th), Middleborough (February 1st), Dublin (February 3rd), Plymouth (February 6th), Peterborough (February 7th and 8th), Bristol (March 11th) and Cork (March 20th), among others.

The golden quartet will also support their fellow talent show wonder, Lemar (who himself had only made it as second runner-up in the 2002 Fame Academy talent quest), during his spring UK tour, which will kick off on March 27th through to April 9th.

For your opportunity to figure out whether JLS will measure up to Lemar's credentials and talent, get yourself some tickets, all of which are now on sale.

Solange Moffi