Merrygold was born on February 13, 1988 to a Jamaican father and an Anglo-Irish mother, who split up when Merrygold was very young. He is one of seven children: he has five brothers and one sister between his biological and step parents.[1] He was born and raised in Peterborough by his mother Siobhan and step dad Orjan, where he attended Jack Hunt School.[6] Merrygold was racially bullied at school.[7] Merrygold stated that he loved to dance and perform and certain TV appearances got him into singing. Through auditions he met future band member Marvin Humes and they stayed in contact. Whilst still attending secondary school, he played football on behalf of England in the European Youth Games.[8] His initial aspiration was to play football professionally, however, after developing a nerve problem in his left foot, he tried singing and acting instead.
