Jesy Nelson has been forced to pull out of the finals of Little Mix: The Search, after falling ill.
The singer, 29, was due to appear on Saturday night’s grand finale of the competition, but a statement released just hours before the live show revealed that she is unwell.
She will also be unable to host the MTV EMAs on Sunday night, or perform alongside her bandmates as planned.
Unwell: Jesy Nelson has been forced to pull out of judging the finals of Little Mix: The Search on Saturday, and hosting the MTV EMAs on Sunday after falling ill
A statement released to MailOnline read: ‘Jesy is unwell and will not be appearing on tonight’s final of Little Mix The Search.
‘She will also not be hosting or performing at tomorrow’s MTV EMA’s.’
Little Mix had been due to host the 27th edition of one of the biggest nights in global music – the 2020 MTV EMAs – which will air globally on Sunday.
Jesy’s bandmates Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock will still host and perform without her.
Pulled out: The singer, 29, was due to appear on Saturday night’s grand finale of Little Mix: The Search, but a statement released just hours before the live show revealed that she is unwell
The band – who have been nominated for Best Pop, Best Group and Best Virtual Live, previously announced their gig on Instagram, saying ‘IT’S HAPPENING!
‘We are SO excited to announce that we’re going to be hosting the @mtvema’s on November 8th. This is gonna be so much fun!’
Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne will also have to decide the winner of their talent show, Little Mix: The Search during Saturday’s final without Jesy’s help.
Jesy appeared during Friday night’s installment of the show, which had been rescheduled from last Saturday.
Jesy and her bandmates had an emotional decision to make during the show, as they firmed up the line-up for the final show.
Friday’s episode marked the first time all four girls were able to appear in person on the live shows, as Jade missed out on being in the studio for the first show after she was forced to self-isolate at home.
Sensational: Jesy appeared during Friday night’s installment of the show, which had been rescheduled from last Saturday as the girls belted out a mash up of their hits
The girls opened the show with an incredible and energetic mash up of their hits Holiday and Touch.
Things soon turned emotional, however, as after an emotional sing-off between the bottom two acts Since September and New Priority, the girls came to a deadlock with two votes each.
As the group’s spokesperson, the final decision was handed to Leigh-Anne who ultimately gave in to Perrie and Jade, and put Since September through to the final, and sending home New Priority in the process.
She’s back! Jade, who previously missed a live show, made a fierce return to Little Mix The Search to perform a sexy show opener with her bandmates during Friday’s episode
Since September will compete against Melladaze, Nostalia and YChange on Saturday night, in a bid to win The Search and go on tour with Little Mix.
Last Saturday, Little Mix: The Search was postponed in a last minute schedule shake-up.
The BBC Talent show, in which the band attempt to look for the next music superstars, has been taken off air to make way for Boris Johnson’s press conference, where the Prime Minister announced a second nationwide lockdown.
Limelight: After their sizzling performance, Little Mix switched into more sophisticated ensembles to judge the remaining bands
In a statement shared on Twitter, they wrote: ‘Little Mix The Search has been postponed tonight for a BBC News special.
‘The Show will now become part of a big final event weekend, with the semi-final airing at 7pm on Friday 6th November and the final at 6.05pm on Saturday 7th November.’
TV schedules were given a last minute reshuffle on Saturday as the Prime Minister prepared to address the nation from 10 Downing Street.
Deadlock: During the postponed episode, after an emotional sing-off, Leigh-Anne couldn’t stop crying, before it came to a deadlock with the bottom two bands receiving two votes each
Celebrity Mastermind was due to air at 5.35pm, followed by Little Mix: The Search at 6.05pm, but the press conference caused a major schedule change.
The news came as a further blow for the talent show after they were forced to postpone an episode earlier this month after ‘a small number’ of crew members tested positive for COVID-19.
In a statement the BBC confirmed the planned shows had been delayed by a week so crew members could self-isolate.
They said: ‘We can confirm that a small number of people on the Little Mix The Search production have tested positive for coronavirus and they are now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines.
‘Due to the format of the show we have made the decision to postpone Saturday’s programme.
‘There are rigorous protocols in place to manage Covid-19 as the safety of all those involved in the production is paramount. We hope to be back on air on Saturday 24 October.’
BBC also confirmed that none of Little Mix themselves have tested positive for coronavirus.
On hold: Little Mix: The Search was postponed in a last minute schedule shake-up, it was announced on Saturday (Little Mix pictured with host Chris Ramsay)
However, the first live show kicked off without Jade, after she was forced to self-isolate at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement announcing the news read: ‘Jade has to self-isolate this week and will therefore be carrying out her role as Mentor on Little Mix The Search from home.
‘For this Saturday’s show, Jade will participate via video link, continuing to mentor alongside Jesy, Leigh-Anne and Perrie.’
People in the UK self-isolate if they show any symptoms or are tested positive for COVID-19. They also quarantine if someone they live with or a member of their support bubble catch the virus.
One down: Meanwhile, the first live show kicked off without Jade, after she was forced to self-isolate at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic