Little Mix slam Simon Cowell’s predictable X Factor and ‘scripted’ sob stories

Little Mix have laid into the “scripted” X Factor, and hope to trump former boss Simon Cowell ’s ratings, saying: “The best revenge is success.”

The group – who won the show in 2011 – say its viewing figures dropped because it “lost its authenticity”.

Taking a swipe at the series, they vow their new BBC talent show, The Search, will mark a “new dawn of reality TV where authenticity is key”, with Jade Thirlwell saying: “You can’t lie to people. People aren’t stupid any more about the smoke and mirrors.”

Little Mix signed to Cowell’s label Syco, but quit two years ago in a row about musical direction.

After plans for the singers’ rival BBC series emerged, X Factor quickly launched The Band last year, which failed to hit three million viewers.

Blasting reality “sob stories”, Jade says: “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.”

Having starred in a BBC documentary about how social media trolls affected her mental health, Jesy Nelson says the group have prioritised contestants’ aftercare.

“We never had anyone check on us (on X Factor) to see how we were doing mentally, it was all just go, go, go,” she tells Radio Times.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock agrees: “I wish there was a lot more help.”

Little Mix: The Search launches this weekend on BBC One.