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Little Mix criticise 'The X Factor' for being unauthentic as they launch rival talent show

Band members Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, of Little Mix, pose for photographers upon arrival at the Global Gift Gala in London, Thursday, March 7, 2019. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards made their name after winning The X Factor in 2011. (AP)

Little Mix have said The X Factor has lost viewers because it is too predictable and scripted.

The band – Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwell, Perrie Edwards and Jesy Nelson – won the ITV show in 2011 and have gone on to launch their own rival talent series The Search on BBC, while The X Factor’s ratings have plummeted in recent years.

Thirlwell told the Radio Times: “You can’t lie to people. People aren’t stupid anymore about the smoke and mirrors.

Read more: Jesy Nelson opens up on experiencing panic attack during Live Lounge performance

Little Mix and Chris Ramsay host BBC talent show The Search. (BBC)
Little Mix and Chris Ramsay host BBC talent show The Search. (BBC)

“The problem is when it’s like a script. It lost its authenticity. The minute it doesn’t seem real, you switch off.

"How am I meant to believe in it? I could literally write it myself and tell you what’s coming next.”

Watch: Little Mix being quizzed to see how well they know their own lyrics

And Nelson – who has spoken out previously about the depression she had suffered after being bullied on social media by internet trolls since entering the spotlight – said their show will prioritise aftercare to their contestants, taking a swipe at The X Factor’s duty of care.

She said: “We never had anyone check on us to see how we were doing mentally, it was all just go, go, go.”

Pinnock agreed: “I wish there was a lot more help.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 17:  Simon Cowell attends the X Factor 2018 Show launch at Somerset House on July 17, 2018 in London, England.  (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Simon Cowell is the creator of The X Factor. (Getty Images)

But despite their criticisms of the show that made them famous, Little Mix insist they have no vendetta against the show’s boss Simon Cowell.

Thirlwall said: “I think with Simon it’s all fun and games. We’ve got no personal vendetta against him.

Read more: Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock to front BBC documentary on racism

“We moved on and, to be fair, over the years we didn’t actually see him that much. We’re not ones to hold grudges.”

Edwards added: “The best revenge is success.”

X Factor winners Little Mix outside the Corinthia Hotel, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday December 12, 2011. The group said they plan to write their own songs and insisted they would not be girl group "clones". The foursome, who were propelled to stardom last night when they won the ITV1 talent show, thanked their fans and said they had "made our dreams come true". See PA story SHOWBIZ XFactor. Photo credit should read: Rebecca Naden/PA Wire
Little Mix - Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwell, Jesy Nelson and Leigh-Anne Pinnock - won The X Factor in 2011. (PA)

Since Little Mix won The X Factor they have released five albums and had four number one singles in the UK charts.

Cowell has announced plans to “rest” The X Factor for 12 months after spin-offs Celebrity and The Band failed to bring back viewers.