JLS Star Aston Merrygold Speaks On New Girlfriend: "We Met A Year Ago"

2 October 2012, 14:29 | Updated: 2 October 2012, 14:44

The 'Proud' singer says he always likes to be friends with a girl before dating them.

JLS star Aston Merrygold has spoken out about his new girlfriend Sarah Richards and says the two were friends before they eventually got together.

The 'She Makes Me Wanna' singer revealed he was in a relationship last month, and was pictured out hand in hand with Sarah last week in London.

"I always wanted to be friends with a girl first and that's what happened," Aston revealed to the Daily Star, when asked about his new relationship with the backing dancer.

"We met about a year ago," Aston revealed. "And then over the summer things started happening."

Check out a picture of JLS star Aston Merrygold with his girlfriend out in London last week below (Credit: Getty):

Aston's JLS bandmate JB Gill, who is in a long term relationship with dancer Chloe Tangney, says he expects to be the next member of the group to marry after Marvin Humes' wedding to The Saturdays star Rochelle Wiseman earlier this year.

JLS are currently promoting their new single 'Hottest Girl In The World', out on 21st November, which will precede their fourth studio album 'Evolution' on 5th November.