Pop twins Jedward made international headlines in recent weeks over controversial comments they made in the wake of the Queen’s death.
The Dubliners posted a series of Tweets that included “abolish the monarchy and give the people real democracy" and "King Charles should hand back the six Irish counties on his visit to Northern Ireland.”
Their posts divided opinion and brought them into the spotlight, with some left wondering what they have been up to in recent years.
Lucan natives John and Edward Grimes started their career on X Factor in 2009. They went on to finish in sixth place before launching a lucrative career that saw them release four studio albums - the first of two went platinum in Ireland.
It’s been an eventful few years for the singing duo - which has included a spat with Louis Walsh, family heartbreak and controversies.
Louis Walsh spat
Jedward finished X Factor in sixth place before launching a lucrative career under the management of their mentor, Louis Walsh, before the management split.
In 2016, Jedward launched a scathing attack on Louis Walsh after he described the act as "the most embarrassing thing to happen to him".
The Mayo music mogul said the most embarrassing moment of his career was "working with Jedward and putting them through on The X Factor" and the twins came out swinging in their defence.
"I think we are the most financially beneficial act of his career in the last 10 years," Edward claimed.
John echoed his statement, saying: "I don't think he took us under his wing. I think we were already flying and he was like, 'Oh I think I want a part of that.
"I think he got old. It's like someone saying behind your back and you are like, 'wait, I didn't know there was a problem.'"
Jedwards combined net worth was estimated at €6m in September 2013, and they have been ranked as the fifth most financially successful former X Factor UK contestants.
Family heartbreak
Jedward appeared in Celebrity Big Brother in 2011 and 2017. But the latter was overshadowed by fear when the boys emerged in second place to winner Coleen Nolan only to find their father, John Snr, was in a critical condition in intensive care.
Proud dad John wanted his sons to enjoy the experience so decided not to tell them, their mum Suzannah Condron revealed at the time.
“The last week has been very stressful for Jedward’s family," she told the Daily Star.
“John Snr has been in intensive care. He insisted Edward and John must not be informed about his critical condition. He stated he would not jeopardise their chances of reaching the final as there would have been legions of disappointed fans.”
Their dad went on to make a full recovery from the mystery illness, but unbeknown to fans, two years earlier Suzannah had been diagnosed with leukaemia and kidney failure.
After five years of treatment, she passed away in February 2019 as her twins held her hands and played her favourite Fleetwood Mac songs.
In a heartbreaking interview on RTE's The Late Late Show, the boys opened up about their grief and their mum's peaceful final moments.
"We were there when she passed and we are thankful that we were there - we were able to hold her hand.
"We had some earphones listening to some music. We listened to some Fleetwood Mac and some of her favourite songs that she liked to play."
"It's very disheartening to think that she won't be at our weddings, she won't be there at the birth of our kids, but we always keep her spirit alive like have pictures of her around and tell stories.
"You just feel so disconnected to the world because the person that kept you anchored in the world and gave birth to you is gone and now you don't know where you should be, what you should be doing,” they said.
Controversy
Jedward are not afraid to speak their mind and made international headlines in the wake of the Queen’s death.
They called for the monarchy to be abolished and for King Charles to "hand back" the north's six counties.
"Abolish the monarchy and give the people real democracy!" John and Edward Grimes posted on their joint Twitter account.
Shortly after, they added: "King Charles should hand back the six Irish counties on his visit to Northern Ireland - No war! Just words! It’s time."
While thousands of Twitter users have retweeted and 'liked' the comments, others slammed the pair for their opinions.
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