Little Mix will still tour in 2021 ‘with or without Jesy Nelson’ after it’s announced she’s ‘taking extended time off’
LITTLE Mix will still tour in 2021 ‘with or without Jesy Nelson’ after announcement she’s ‘taking extended time off’ from the band.
Band members Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock have been operating as a trio, after Jesy was signed off for private medical reasons.
But the show must go on and a source told The Sun: "They still have a tour scheduled to start in April next year, and even if that is delayed because of Covid, as is quite likely, they will still complete it.
“That will happen either with or without Jesy, who is taking some time out for as long as she feels she needs or wants to.”
The revelations come as the band’s management last night announced Jesy’s break.
A spokesman added: “We will not be issuing any further comment currently.”
Jesy, 29, has been absent from the group for a fortnight, having pulled out of the final of their BBC TV show The Search plus their hosting slot on the MTV European Music Awards.
It's also been revealed the pop superstars are set to go solo.
Perrie, Jade and Leigh-Anne have each been involved in secret plans to launch individual careers next year at the end of their existing deal.
They have been quietly meeting with new managers, agents and industry bosses.
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Jesy is also in talks over plans for her own solo career which will resume as soon as she's feeling better.
Meanwhile Perrie and Jade, both 27, are looking at solo music projects while 29-year-old Leigh-Anne is thought to be discussing TV ideas.
A source explained: “The girls have been open and honest with each other, and with their current management team.
“They have started discussions with some prospective managers and agents about what their solo careers might look like.
“Some of the girls might end up taking on solo projects with their current management team too.
“But this isn’t about ending the band, it’s about looking to the future."
The source explained: “They’re talking about trying to emulate Take That, where each member has been able to drift out at times and work on their own projects, but come together at other times to tour and work as a group again.
“They love the band and all that they’ve achieved, and still get on very well as great friends.
“There is absolutely no fall-out between them and they’re all supportive of each other doing new things. It’s an exciting time.”
Little Mix have become one of the most successful acts of their generation since forming on The X Factor in 2011, selling more than 50 million records.
Six albums and six world tours have spawned four No 1 singles and 16 top tens, alongside two Brit Awards — and an estimated fortune of around £30million.
Little Mix won The X Factor at the height of its success in 2011, a year after boyband One Direction finished third.
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Their hits include Wings, Black Magic and Shout Out To My Ex. Spin-offs include clothing ranges, perfume and beauty products.
Jesy won a National Television Award for her work on TV documentary Odd One Out about online bullying and struggles with body image.