Jade Thirlwall says her Little Mix bandmates are her “family”

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror newspaper, Jade said: “We said from the get-go we’d remain equal, even when other people might tell us otherwise. That’s one of the reasons we’ve lasted.

“We’ve always been about lifting each other up – I think that translates.

“People aren’t stupid, they can tell when you’re on stage if you aren’t getting along.

“Maybe that’s why people have warmed to us for nearly 10 years. We’re family now.”

The comments come after it was recently announced Jesy would be taking an extended break for "private medical reasons”.

A spokesperson for the group said: "Jesy is having extended time off from Little Mix for private medical reasons. We will not be issuing any further comment currently and ask media to please respect her privacy at this time.”

And after the news was announced, Little Mix appeared on an episode of 'The Jonathan Ross Show’ on Saturday (21.11.20), where they admitted they didn't realise being in a band would be "so hard”.

Perrie said: "I don't think we expected it to be this hard. When you're young and you think of being a popstar, you think, 'Oh I want everyone to love me and ask for my autograph…' then you get thrown into it and you're like, 'Holy s*** balls it's a lot'.

"We don't rest, we don't sleep. But we love success so we're willing to work for it and it's been an amazing 10 years!”

Whilst Leigh-Anne added: "People don't see how hard it is, the things that go on behind the scenes. People don't understand the pressure. People sometimes see popstars and think, 'Oh it is glam and glitz', but really it's hard."