Jesy Nelson to leave Little Mix after nine 'amazing' years

Singer says being in band 'took a toll on her mental health'

Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix attend a special dinner on January 26, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images

Jesy Nelson of Little Mix performs on stage during Free Radio Live 2016 at the Genting Arena on November 26, 2016 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Getty Images

Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix attend the MTV EMAs 2018 at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre on November 4, 2018 in Bilbao, Spain. Getty Images for MTV

Jesy Nelson and Harry James attend The Brit Awards at the O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images

Jesy Nelson of Little Mix performs at the launch of M&M's Union Jack edition at M&M's World on May 24, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images

Jesy Nelson from Little Mix attends the Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball at 02 Arena on December 8, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images

Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Jesy Nelson pose at Luna Park on October 29, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images

Jesy Nelson of Little Mix performs at the launch of the Bershka flagship store on November 14, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images

Jesy Nelson attends Capital's Jingle Bell Ball on December 3, 2016 in London, UK. Getty Images

Jesy Nelson is leaving Little Mix with a 'heavy heart'. Getty

Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock during The Brit Awards held at the O2 Arena on February 20, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images

Tulisa Contostavlos (C) with Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson and Perrie Edwards of Little Mix at the premiere of 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1' at Westfield Stratford City on November 16, 2011 in London, England. Getty Images

Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall and Jesy Nelson of Little Mix attend the Nordoff Robbins Six Nations Championship Rugby Dinner at The Grosvenor House Hotel on January 14, 2015 in London, England. Getty Images

Jesy Nelson of Little Mix attends the Sony aftershow for The Brit Awards at The Arts Club on February 21, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images

Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson is to leave the band after nine "amazing" years.

She took to Instagram on Monday to announce the news, saying being in the group had "really taken a toll on her mental health".

"I need to spend some time with people I love, doing things that make me happy," she wrote.

"I'm ready to embark on a new chapter in my life – I'm not sure what it's going to look like right now, but I hope you'll still be there to support me."

Her bandmates were swift to tweet their support for Nelson's decision and to wish her all the best.

And fans also paid tribute to the departing star in their droves:

For Little Mixers concerned that the news portends a full-scale break-up, solace was to be quickly found as the remaining members went online to assure that their dedication to the group is unwavering.

"We are still very much enjoying our Little Mix journey and the three of us are not ready for it to be over," said Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock in a joint statement.

"We know that Jesy leaving the group is going to be really upsetting news for our fans. We love you guys so much and are so grateful for your loyalty and continued support of all of us."

Jesy Nelson had announced in November that she was taking an extended break from the X Factor outfit for "medical reasons".

She had been a notable absentee from recent public performances including the final of talent show Little Mix The Search and the MTV Europe Music Awards.

She laid bare her mental health issues in a warts-and-all BBC documentary in which she admitted she had tried to commit suicide.

Little Mix came to prominence in 2011 during the eighth series of The X Factor. Despite not winning the competition, they have been one of its most enduring successes.

Earlier this year they released their sixth studio album Confetti and are currently at number five in the UK chart with hit single Sweet Melody.

Here is Nelson's statement in full: