Jesy Nelson in talks to star in I’m A Celebrity with ITV hoping she’ll finally spill beans on why she quit Little Mix

LITTLE Mix’s Jesy Nelson is in advanced talks to join I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! The singer, 35, has had a string of meetings about landing a six-figure deal to star in the ITV show’s 26th series. Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson is in advanced talks to join I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! Credit: PA Jesy has had a string of meetings with ITV and is set to land a six-figure deal Credit: PA It follows the end of her engagement to the infants’ father — and their diagnosis with spinal muscular atrophy type 1. She dated rapper Zion Foster for four years before getting engaged last September, but they separated in January, months after discovering their daughters Ocean and Story had the rare neuromuscular disorder. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! A source said: “Jesy has been negotiating with ITV for weeks and now the talks are at a very promising stage. “For Jesy, doing I’m A Celebrity would be a huge boost for her professionally as well as personally. “Continuing to raise awareness around SMA for her girls is something Jesy is very keen to do, and she knows she can use a platform like I’m A Celebrity to reach millions. “Jesy also loves challenges and is a huge fan of the show. “She’d love to show the public a different side to her. “She has been open about how she has struggled with anxiety in the past — and there’s no better way to challenge herself than going on a show like I’m A Celebrity. Most read in TV Jesy Nelson’s daughters Ocean and Story were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 Credit: Instagram ITV producers are hoping Jesy will speak about her sudden decision to quit Little Mix at the end of 2020 Credit: Getty “She’s had a really hard time in the last couple of years but she’s ready to grab life by the horns and get on with things. “A complete change of scene and a fresh start is just what she needs, and those around her believe I’m A Celeb gives her that opportunity.” The source added: “It would be very hard for her to be away from her daughters for three weeks, but she wants to make them proud. “ITV bosses are thrilled they’ve got to this stage with Jesy and hope she will sign her contract in the coming weeks to seal the deal.” Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly’s hit show, filmed in a jungle close to Australia’s Gold Coast, will start filming in early November. A spokesperson for ITV said: “Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! are just speculation.” Jesy, who found fame with Little Mix after winning The X Factor in 2011, successfully lobbied the Government earlier this year to roll out routine newborn screening for SMA, meaning it can be halted and treated early. The diagnosis of the severe muscular disease meant Jesy was told her daughters will “probably never walk.” Star Jesy stunned her Little Mix bandmates with her decision to quit the band in 2020 Credit: Instagram The beauty says she wished her departure from the girl band had been handled differently Credit: Getty Images – Getty During her time in Little Mix with bandmates Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall, she scored 17 Top Ten singles and six Top Ten albums. Telly bosses hope she will speak in the jungle about her time in the group, and her sudden decision to quit at the end of 2020. In February, she claimed her lawyer, without her consent, was the one who broke the news to her bandmates that she was leaving. Jesy said: “I think they felt really hurt about that and it should never have played out like that. I didn’t get my opportunity to explain why I couldn’t do this any more. “I feel mad that that was taken away from me.” She said they had one “uncomfortable” phone call afterwards and admitted: “I didn’t feel like they were my sisters any more.” Little Mix performed one more tour as a trio and released a greatest hits collection before splitting in 2022. Earlier this year, Perrie said she was “ready and raring” for a reunion, but when asked if it would be as a trio, or as the original four-piece including Jesy, she said: “A three. Definitely a three.” Jesy collaborated with US artist Nicki Minaj during her stint as a solo artist Credit: PA The singer has stayed in the public eye with a series of documentaries on her life after the band Credit: Rex Perrie said they “don’t talk and haven’t for a long time”, adding: “It’s really sad, it’s heartbreaking. “But sometimes these things happen and people decide they want to part ways, and that’s absolutely fine. “I would rather it went differently, but you can’t control how things go.” Jesy went on to have a short-lived solo career which saw her collaborate with US rapper Nicki Minaj on Jesy’s debut solo single Boyz in 2021. The Romford-born singer previously opened up about the impact of online trolling on her mental health in award-winning BBC show Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out in 2019. She revealed how she battled depression and eating disorders as trolls twisted the knife over her looks and Little Mix’s fame. Jesy was also due to take part in 2025 Netflix series Celebrity Bear Hunt, hosted by Bear Grylls and Holly Willoughby, but pulled out. She has stayed in the public eye with her Prime Video docuseries Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix, and follow-up Jesy Nelson: Life Changing. The first followed her during her pregnancy, while the second showed her fight to raise awareness for SMA type 1 and help her daughters. The Sun told last month that she is dating landscape gardener Ben Davies. The couple were at this week’s National Television Awards. 3 comments3