Their fans have had to wait a long time but finally the JLS debut single is here - and the boys could not be happier with it.

Since finishing second to Alexandra Burke in last year's final Ashton, Marvin, Oritse and South Croydon's very own Jonathan "JB" Gill have been working non-stop, completing three tours, writing and recording their album and even starting a book and filming a documentary.

Now Beat Again is set to hit shops on Monday and the boys will be coming to Croydon to sign copies of it at the HMV store in North End.

"It's going to be wicked," said former Whitgift School pupil JB.

"They need to make sure thay have security and police there though if Fairfield Halls is anything to go by but it is always fantastic to see so many people coming out and supporting us."

So quick has been the foursome's meteoric rise they were even in talks to support Michael Jackson at the O2 this year before the sad news of his death.

"There was a possibility of it happening as we are on the same record label," said JB.

"We were probably going to do something at one of the aftershow parties at the very least but sadly that will not happen now.

"I found out that night from a friend he had had a heart attack and the four of us had a little conference on our Blackberrys about whether it was true.

"When it was confirmed it sunk in that he had passed away and obviously everyone is devastated, it's the death of a legend."

This time last year the boys were only just beginning their XFactor journey and although JB, who used to play rugby for Warlingham, says he was always confident they would make it, he admits his surprise at how quickly it's come about.

"The dream was always there because we had been together before the show but XFactor was another way to achieving that goal," he said.

"None of us could have hoped for that to happen in 12 months though.

"Other bands like Take That or Westlife tried for years before they got to a recognised level. It's fantastic it's happened to us so quickly."

JLS will be signing copies of Beat Again at the HMV Store in North End from 4.30pm on Monday. People wishing to get a copy should first collect a wristband from the store from 8am that morning.