Jade Thirlwall reveals Stormzy has 'always supported and inspired her' as she covered his song during her first solo BBC1 Live Lounge performance

Jade Thirlwall has revealed that rapper Stormzy has always been very supportive throughout her career.

The former Little Mix member, 31, made the candid admission during an appearance on Radio1’s Live Lounge on Thursday.

Jade’s performance marked her first solo performance for the radio show since splitting from the girl group in 2022.

During the live session, hosted by Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges, the singer revealed that the British rapper had also inspired her music.

She said: ‘I love Stormzy, he’s been so supportive.

Jade Thirlwall revealed during a performance on Thursday that Stormzy has always been very supportive throughout her career

The former Little Mix member made the candid confession during a performance at Radio1’s Live Lounge, where she sang Baby D’s Let Me Be Your Fantasy.

During the live session, the singer revealed that British rapper Stormzy (pictured in 2019 at Glastonbury) had inspired her music

‘What I also like about Stormzy is that you can’t box him into what he’s going to do next so I’m really inspired by that and that’s why I picked this song and made it my own but it’s a Northern Geordie version .’

The Angel Of My Dreams singer then performed her own version of Stormzy and Chase and Status’s song Backbone.

Elsewhere in her performance, Jade sang Baby D’s Let Me Be Your Fantasy and after her first solo performance in the Radio1 studio, she admitted she felt relieved.

The last time Jade was on the show, she performed with her former bandmates Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards in 2020, just months before Jesy left the band.

After Jade’s performance, she left the BBC studios and posed with fans camped outside the broadcaster.

The star looked very professional in an oversized gray-green pinstripe suit, which she paired with platform heels.

Underneath she wore a crisp white shirt and let her long dark hair flow loosely.

And the singer seemed more than happy to pose outside and chat with fans, sign photos and pose for selfies.

The Angel Of My Dreams singer sang her own version of Stormzy and Chase and Status’s song Backbone

The last time Jade was on the show, she performed with her former bandmates Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards in 2020, just months before Jesy left the band (R to L: Jade, Perrie, Leigh-Anne , Jesy)

After Jade’s performance, she left the BBC studios in an oversized gray-green pinstripe suit that she paired with platform heels.

After Jade’s performance, she left the BBC studios and posed with fans camped outside the broadcaster

The singer seemed more than happy to pose outside and chat with fans, sign photos and pose for selfies

Jade’s appearance on Radio1 Live Lounge comes after she shocked fans by releasing an X-rated merchandise line alongside her latest project.

The star, who released her fourth single Fantasy last week, shared some of the goodies her new merchandise collection included, including a butt plug.

Jade’s appearance on Radio1 Live Lounge comes after she shocked fans by releasing an X-rated merchandise line alongside her latest project.

The star, who released her fourth single Fantasy last week, shared a sampling of the goodies on offer in her new merchandise collection launching on December 6.

While the usual t-shirts, hoodies and mugs are available, it was a raunchy package called the ‘Jade X Fantasy Howl Box’ that raised eyebrows.

The adult set is available to pre-order for £75 and includes four items: a sleep eye mask, a thong that appears to be made of candy, a butt plug on a keyring and a silicone-based lubricant.

Jade, who was part of girl group X Factor alongside Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson, is promoting the eclectic mix of merchandise: ‘Whatever floats your boat, I’ve got you covered, baby’.

Her cheeky tweet has been viewed more than 1.7 million times and has provoked mixed reactions.

‘BUTTPLUGS???’ replied one shocked fan, while another agreed: “Not the butt plug.”

But other fans praised Jade, saying: ‘I’M CRYING JADE KNOWS HER AUDIENCE.’

Another commented: ‘THIS is the merchandise all celebrities should be selling

A third joked: ‘Well… fair enough. I like a good mug.’