Jesy Nelson opens up about quitting Little Mix to look after her mental health - The Mirror

The singer said that while she will 'always cherish' the memories from her days in the popular girl band, she was struggling with various mental health issues and has no regrets about prioritising her well-being

Singer Jesy Nelson has lifted the lid on the state of her relationship with her former Little Mix bandmates following her high-profile departure from the group two years ago.

The 31-year-old songstress stepped away from the group to focus on her mental well-being, prompting a barrage of criticism from fans and an awkward fallout with the other three members.

Speaking to The Sun, Nelson revealed that she hasn't spoken to the other Little Mix singers since the split.

She said: “Being in a girl band, you are a machine going all the time. You don't have a minute to breathe and take time out if you just need space. That was something I struggled with."

Nelson said her mental health issues were "ongoing" while in the band, and that she was also dealing "body issues".

"I was constantly being trolled – and I really, really struggled with it," she said.

“I was in it for nearly ten years. I think I was never prepared for what was to come. I didn't have social media or any of that, I was just a barmaid working in Dagenham."

The singer, who recently released her latest single 'Bad Thing', said that by the end of her time in the group, she "couldn't enjoy the good parts" and said the split was a "shame" as she had "the most amazing times" in the band.

Little Mix formed in 2011 during ITV's X Factor talent show and have become the most successful act to take part in the series, selling a staggering 60 million records worldwide.

Despite the disappointment surrounding her exit from the band, Nelson said she has no regrets about making decisions in the interest of her health and well-being.

She said mental health is "the most important thing and you only live once" adding that sometimes you had to "stop and look after yourself."

Nelson went on to say that she would "always cherish" the memories she has from her days in Little Mix but revealed that she hasn't talked to her former bandmates since she departed the group.

Despite the clear tension amongst the singers, Nelson still wished them well.