Jade Thirlwall has reassured fans that “Little Mix will never die” following the news of Jesy Nelson’s “extended” break from the band.
Thirlwall – who stars in the group alongside Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards – addressed the future of Little Mix during an appearance on Australia’s Hit Radio show Ash London Live.
The 27-year-old said that while she and her band members may embark on solo endeavours, they will always return to one another.
She said: “You know, eventually in the future we might go off and do our own bits and bobs, but I think Little Mix will literally never die.”
“We’ve always said that,” said Thirlwall. “We’re like, we’ll always need Little Mix.”
The declaration follows shortly after it was announced on Wednesday (17 November) that band member Nelson is to take “extended time off”.
News of the singer’s planned hiatus was confirmed in a statement issued by her publicist, which cited “private medical reasons”.
Nelson had sparked concern among fans when she missed a series of the band’s most recent TV appearances, including the final of their BBC One show The Search on 7 November and the Children in Need appeal show on 13 November.
At the time, a spokesperson said: “Jesy is unwell and will not be appearing on tonight’s final episode of Little Mix: The Search.”
One fan tweeted: “Hope Jesy is ok as has been missing lately and also wasn’t with the girls tonight on @BBCCiN sending hugs @LittleMix.”
The band, who found fame when they won X Factor in 2011, are scheduled to go on tour in April next year.
The Independent called Little Mix’s new album Confetti “a glamorous statement of independence”.
