Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Tina Campbell

Popstar 'in talks for TV comeback' on Holly Willoughby's new Netflix show with Bear Grylls

A chart-topping popstar is reportedly being eyed for Holly Willoughby’s new survival series with Netflix.

Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson, 32, is hoping to give her profile a boost by signing up for the new series on the streaming giant, according to reports.

The premise of the show will see an all-star line-up receive training from survival expert Bear Grylls and take on terrifying challenges to pick up essential wilderness survival skills.

An insider told The Sun: "Casting agents have approached Jesy to see if she would be interested and have deep pockets to ensure it's worth her time financially. She has a huge fanbase and the reality challenge series would be the perfect comeback for her.

“Filming takes place for a few weeks so she won't even be away from home and her creature comforts for too long. Jesy will be incredible."

Jesy Nelson’s solo career after leaving Little Mix failed to set the charts alight (PA Archive)

Nelson and Little Mix originally shot to fame after being put together on ITV singing contest The X Factor in 2011, which they went on to win.

In 2021, she put out her debut solo single Boyz featuring US rapper Nicki Minaj, but the accompanying music video saw her face a backlash when she was accused of black fishing - the practice of a non-black person trying to appear black.

Her album was delayed as a result and she was subsequently dropped from record label Polydor in 2022.

Second single Bad Thing, which was released independently and in conjunction with Women's Aid in 2023, failed to chart.

Aside from putting in an amusing turn last year on the Great Celebrity Bake Off, where she was criticised for attempting to knead cake mix with her long nails, Nelson has generally kept a low profile.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.