Little Mix’s Jesy: X Factor failed me during troll hell

FORMER Little Mix star Jesy Nelson said X Factor staff failed to support her when she was trolled.

The singer, left, who has endured a decade of abuse over her weight, also revealed she wept when head judge Gary Barlow said her audition was ‘terrible’.

The 30-year-old and ex-bandmates Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock won the eighth series of the ITV talent contest in 2011.

Speaking about social media abuse that began when she was on the show, she said: ‘When I was struggling, I didn’t feel there was anyone I could talk to. We were like babies – Perrie was 17, I was 20. I’m hoping programmes like this are now taking more responsibility. It’s so important because nobody prepares you for what you’re about to go through.’

In an interview with The Guardian Weekend magazine, the singer, who quit this year over her mental health struggles, also recalled Barlow’s comments on her solo audition. She said: ‘Gary hated me. He was like, “I found that audition terr-i-ble.”.

‘I said to my mum, “I’m not coming back on the X Factor, I’m not doing that again.” Dermot O’Leary was like, “Why are you crying, you got through”.’

Ms Nelson, who is launching a solo career, said she left Little Mix after being hospitalised following a panic attack while the band were making a video.

She added: ‘I got in such a state about having to lose weight in two weeks and wear a bikini. I was really down about myself.’

An X Factor spokesperson said: ‘Duty of care is of the utmost importance to us. We have measures to ensure contestants are supported, including having a psychologist available at all times.’