Coleen Nolan says son’s ex-fiancé Jesy Nelson has made the ‘right decision’ by leaving Little Mix

Coleen Nolan has thrown her support behind Jesy Nelson after she announced she’s leaving Little Mix following nine years with the girl band.

During Tuesday’s Loose Women, the panellist, 55, claimed the musician, 29 – who was previously engaged to her son Jake Roche, 28 – has made the ‘right decision’ by quitting for the sake of her mental health.

The presenter recalled when the Shout Of The My Ex hitmaker ‘struggled with criticism’ as a rising star and insisted she can relate to the ‘pressure’ of fame after growing up as a member of The Nolans.

‘She was struggling with it all’: Coleen Nolan supported Jesy Nelson on Tuesday’s Loose Women after she announced she’s leaving Little Mix following nine years with the girl band

Coleen shared: ‘I’ve got feelings for Jesy because I’ve known for very well. I totally get it. I was in a girl band and was with family, so you always felt protected.’

Admitting the backlash she faced as a young singer was on a different scale to what it’s like for celebrities now, the TV star said: ‘The pressure then, I was 15 when I joined, was hard but it was just like a critic in a newspaper.

‘It wasn’t in your face 24/7 on social media. Equally, when someone that young goes from not being known at all to being on the biggest talent show in the country and instantly being thrust into the spotlight and trolled, the criticism must be immense.’

The media personality went on to detail how she witnessed Jesy’s battle to cope with the naysayers as she explained: ‘From knowing Jesy in the past, I’ve not seen her for a few years now, but when I knew her she was struggling with it all. 

'She's brave': The panellist, 55, claimed the musician, 29 - who was engaged to her son Jake Roche, 28 (pictured together in 2015) - has made the 'right decision' by leaving the group

‘She’s brave’: The panellist, 55, claimed the musician, 29 – who was engaged to her son Jake Roche, 28 (pictured together in 2015) – has made the ‘right decision’ by leaving the group

Emotional: The pop star took to Instagram on Monday night to share a heartfelt statement where she revealed she wants to focus on things that make her 'happy'

Emotional: The pop star took to Instagram on Monday night to share a heartfelt statement where she revealed she wants to focus on things that make her ‘happy’

'I wish her all the best': The presenter recalled when the Shout Of The My Ex hitmaker 'struggled with criticism' as a rising star

‘I wish her all the best’: The presenter recalled when the Shout Of The My Ex hitmaker ‘struggled with criticism’ as a rising star

'I get it': The author insisted she can relate to the 'pressure' of fame after growing up as a member of The Nolans (pictured with sisters Maureen, Anne and Bernie in 1987)

‘I get it’: The author insisted she can relate to the ‘pressure’ of fame after growing up as a member of The Nolans (pictured with sisters Maureen, Anne and Bernie in 1987)

‘I think it’s the right decision for her mental health and I wish her all the best. I think it’s a hard but brave decision.’

Fellow Loose Women star Saira Khan added: ‘She grew up with this, it does affect your mental health. It’s brave of her to recognise at such a young age to say, I need to step out.’

Essex native Jesy dated Rixton frontman Jake between September 2014 and November 2016, during which the couple got engaged in July 2015. 

In her heartfelt statement, the award-winning artist revealed she wants to focus on things that make her ‘happy’ and also emotionally said that being in the band had ‘taken a toll on her mental health’ and that she finds the ‘constant pressure very hard’. 

Long-term: The artist dated Rixton frontman Jake between 2014 and 2016, during which the couple got engaged in July 2015 (pictured in 2016)

Long-term: The artist dated Rixton frontman Jake between 2014 and 2016, during which the couple got engaged in July 2015 (pictured in 2016)

Putting herself first: In her heartfelt statement, the award-winning artist revealed she wants to focus on things that make her 'happy' (pictured earlier this year)

Putting herself first: In her heartfelt statement, the award-winning artist revealed she wants to focus on things that make her ‘happy’ (pictured earlier this year) 

Little Mix also took to Instagram to share the news as they admitted it was an ‘incredibly sad time’ for the band but they ‘fully support’ Jesy’s decision, and plan to continue in her absence. 

The band – made up of Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock – confirmed they would be remaining as a trio. 

Last month, Little Mix’s representative announced Jesy would be taking an ‘extended break’ from the band due to ‘private medical reasons.’ The has been a member of the band since their formation on The X Factor in 2011.  

'Very hard': Jesy also said being in the band had 'taken a toll on her mental health' (pictured with bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall in September)

‘Very hard’: Jesy also said being in the band had ‘taken a toll on her mental health’ (pictured with bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall in September) 

Artist Jesy wrote on Monday night: ‘To all my Mixers, the past nine years in Little Mix has been the most incredible time of my life. We have achieved things I never thought possible. From winning our first Brit Award to our sold out shows at the O2. 

‘Making friends and fans all over the world I can’t thank you all enough from the bottom of my heart for making me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. You have always been there to support and encourage me and I will never ever forget it.

‘The truth is recently being in the band has really taken a toll on my mental health. I find the constant pressure of being in a girl group and living up to expectations very hard.

Trio: The band - made up of Leigh-Anne, 29, Perrie and Jade, both 27 - confirmed they would be remaining as a trio (pictured in November)

Trio: The band – made up of Leigh-Anne, 29, Perrie and Jade, both 27 – confirmed they would be remaining as a trio (pictured in November) 

‘There comes a time in life when we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves rather than focusing on making other people happy, and I feel like now is the time to begin that process. 

‘So after much consideration and with a heavy heart, I’m announcing I’m leaving Little Mix.’

Jesy emotionally added: ‘I need to spend some time with the people I love, doing things that make me happy. 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.

Statement: Little Mix took to social media to release a message over Jesy's departure as they admitted it was an 'incredibly sad time' but they 'fully support' her decision

Statement: Little Mix took to social media to release a message over Jesy’s departure as they admitted it was an ‘incredibly sad time’ but they ‘fully support’ her decision

‘I want to say thank you to everyone involved in our journey. All the hard work and dedication that went into making us a success.

‘To every single fan who came to see us in concert, who listened to our songs and sung their hearts out, sent me messages and supported me along the way I want you to know I love you all so much and I could never have done this without you and I appreciate it endlessly.

‘Most of all I want to say thank you to Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne for creating some of the most amazing memories I’ll never forget. I hope that you’ll continue to fulfil all of your dreams and keep on making music that people love. Love Jesy x.’ 

Jesy has long been candid about her experience with body shaming and trolling over the years, after being viciously targeted when she was a contestant on The X Factor 2011. 

Way back when: Little Mix were crowned the winners of The X Factor in 2011 when they become the first band to ever win the show in its history (pictured)

Way back when: Little Mix were crowned the winners of The X Factor in 2011 when they become the first band to ever win the show in its history (pictured) 

Only recently, she won praise for her groundbreaking 2019 TV documentary Odd One Out, which addressed her struggles with online bullying and body image.

The filmmaker left viewers in tears as she bravely spoke about her battle with depression in her BBC documentary, which won a National Television Award in January.  

The DNA hitmaker talked in depth for the first time about how trolls, who mocked her over her looks and weight, triggered her into attempting to take her own life in 2013.

After the documentary aired, social media was awash with demands from fans to have the programme shown in schools to help educate youths.

Heartbreaking: Only recently, the filmmaker won praise for her 2019 TV documentary Odd One Out, which addressed her struggles with online bullying and body image

Heartbreaking: Only recently, the filmmaker won praise for her 2019 TV documentary Odd One Out, which addressed her struggles with online bullying and body image

Little Mix’s achievements   

Little Mix were crowned the winners of The X Factor in 2011 when they become the first band to ever win the show in its history. 

The band has since gone on to become one of the biggest ever girl group’s in the UK, scoring number one hits including Wings, Black Magic and Shout Out To My Ex.  

They were signed to Simon Cowell’s record label Syco until November 2018 when they switched to rival label RCA.

Little Mix won two BRIT Awards for their 2017 hit Shout Out to My Ex and their 2019 single Woman Like Me featuring Nicki Minaj. 

Winners! Little Mix won two BRIT Awards for their 2017 hit Shout Out to My Ex (pictured) and their 2019 single Woman Like Me featuring Nicki Minaj

Winners! Little Mix won two BRIT Awards for their 2017 hit Shout Out to My Ex (pictured) and their 2019 single Woman Like Me featuring Nicki Minaj 

Other achievements include five Global Awards, six MTV Europe Music Awards, a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award and two Teen Choice Awards.

The band had a total of six successful tours, they were due to be touring this year for their Summer 2020 Tour but it was cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis. 

Only recently, the band had great success with both their brand new album Confetti as well as their talent show Little Mix: The Search.

The album reached Number 1 on the Official Irish Albums Chart while it peaked at Number 2 in the UK.

Little Mix are slated to head on tour in April next year with their new album Confetti, but it is currently unclear whether dates may be delayed due to the Covid-19 crisis. 

Amazing: Other achievements include five Global Awards, six MTV Europe Music Awards, a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award and two Teen Choice Awards (pictured in 2017)

Amazing: Other achievements include five Global Awards, six MTV Europe Music Awards, a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award and two Teen Choice Awards (pictured in 2017)