Little Mix have reportedly made plans to go on hiatus and pursue solo careers next year.
On Tuesday the group announced that Jesy Nelson would be taking indefinite leave due to "private medical reasons", less than a fortnight after she abruptly pulled out of the band's commitments due to illness.
The singer was absent from the final episode of the group's own BBC series Little Mix The Search, the launch week of their new album and their big gig hosting the MTV Europe Music Awards.
According to The Sun, the four-piece - also including Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock - will be using Nelson's time out as an opportunity to explore solo pursuits.
"The girls have been open and honest with each other, and with their current management team," a source told the newspaper.
"They have started discussions with some prospective managers and agents about what their solo careers might look like.
"Some of the girls might end up taking on solo projects with their current management team too.
"But this isn't about ending the band, it's about looking to the future. They still have a tour scheduled to start in April next year, and even if that is delayed because of COVID, as is quite likely, they will still complete it.
"That will happen either with or without Jesy, who is taking some time out for as long as she feels she needs or wants to."
Little Mix are one of the most successful girl groups of all time, having sold more than 50 million records worldwide since they were formed on The X Factor in 2011.
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