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JLS star Aston Merrygold campaigning against 'disease of racism' after troll targets son

Aston Merrygold's two-year-old son was targeted with racist abuse on Instagram. (PA)
Aston Merrygold's two-year-old son was targeted with racist abuse on Instagram. (PA)

Aston Merrygold has thanked fans for their support after a racist troll who targeted his son was banned from Instagram.

The JLS star appealed to his 378k followers for help after a picture he posted of his two-year-old son Grayson was subjected to racist comments from an anonymous social media account.

Merrygold, 32, shared the abuse remark made about his young child and wrote: “I need to know who this person is ASAP because from when you think you can move like this and write s*** on my sons page.. you got the wrong one mate! So any information on @wickyaard need thrown my way now.”

Read more: Rapper Wiley 'fully suspended' from Twitter over anti-Semitism

With 14 hours the account had been removed from the social media platform.

Merrygold told followers: “Thank you all for your kind words, passion and reporting this [clown emoji].

“A tiny step in the right direction but we have a long way to go to remove this non visual disease called racism!! This person is only one of many and the problem won’t stop until we can take further action! But please be aware to anybody out there that thinks this, anything close or related to this type of incident is acceptable.

“Congratulations, you have my attention! Let’s continue to talk openly, report, shine light on those lurking in the dark! A change gonna come.”

Read more: Marvin Humes excited to welcome son into 'female heavy' household

The singer - who found fame with boyband JLS after appearing on the ITV talent show in 2008 - recently welcomed his second child with his fiancé Sarah Lou Richards.

Son Macaulay Shay Merrygold was born on June 5.

Merrygold - who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 - and Richards were due to marry this summer, but the pregnancy led to them deciding to wait until they had welcomed their second child.

JLS pose for photographers upon arrival at Brit Awards 2020 in London, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020.(Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
JLS are reuniting for a tour in 2021. (AP)

Earlier this year JLS - whose other members are JB Gill, Marvin Humes and Oritse Williamannoucned a reunion tour to mark the 10th anniversary of their debut album.

Though the November 2020 concerts have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the tour has been rescheduled to take place in June 2021.