Jesy Nelson is pictured for the first time since announcing her ‘extended break’ from Little Mix 

Jesy Nelson has been pictured for the first time since announcing she was taking an ‘extended break’ from Little Mix in November. 

The 29-year-old pop star headed into a waiting car with a shoe box in hand and scrunched her curly hair with her hand as she headed out to run some errands. 

Last month, Little Mix’s representative announced Jesy would be taking an ‘extended break’ from the band due to ‘private medical reasons.’ 

Jesy had admitted she ‘needed time off’ from the band just one week before announcing she was taking ‘an extended break.’

In an interview with the Mail On Sunday’s YOU magazine published on November 8, Jesy told how the band ‘needed’ some time apart because they are together all day, every day.  

She said: ‘It was needed. We’re never not with each other and we’re always busy. Our mornings start early, we finish really late.’

Jade Thirlwall recently gave her support to her bandmate after the big news was revealed, insisting that Little Mix will not fall out over any feud as they will always be ‘family’.

Speaking to The Mirror, she said: ‘We’ve always been about lifting each other up – I think that translates. People aren’t stupid, they can tell when you’re on stage if you aren’t getting along. 

‘Maybe that’s why people have warmed to us for nearly 10 years. We’re family now.’  

Jade dismissed claims that the band are splitting up but admitted they ‘might’ go and do their own projects at some point in the future. 

She was quizzed by Hit network host Ash London on what the future holds for the hugely-successful band during an interview on Thursday.

Jade said: ‘You know, eventually in the future we might go off and do our own bits and bobs – but Little Mix will literally never die.

‘We’ve always said that – we’re like, we always need Little Mix. I think it’s nice that people are starting to do their own bits and bobs. I definitely want to travel more and see more fans all over the world.’ 

The outing comes after it was reported that the rest of the band will make their first public appearance without Jesy, at the Strictly semi-final on Sunday.

Jesy was absent from the Jonathan Ross Show last month, and hosting the 27th edition of one of the biggest nights in global music – the 2020 MTV EMAs – on November 8.  

There have been reports that Little Mix are reportedly planning to pursue a solo career, following news of Jesy’s ‘extended break.’

Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne and Jade are set to launching solo careers next year at the end of their existing record deal, it has been claimed. 

They are said to have been secretly meeting with industry bosses as well as new managers and agents, while Jesy also plans to kick start a solo career when she is feeling better. 

The Sun reported that Perrie and Jade are both looking at solo music projects while Leigh-Anne is eyeing up TV opportunities. 

A source said: ‘The girls have been open and honest with each other, and with their current management team.

‘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.’

The source added that the group still have a tour to complete next April and will see it through, even if it is delayed due to COVID-19.