Perrie Edwards reveals she calls former X Factor judge ‘every five seconds for advice’ as Little Mix star launches solo debut

Perrie Edwards has revealed she called a former X-factor judge ‘every five seconds for advice’ when she joined Gregg James on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show on Friday.

The 30-year-old singer, who has just released her debut solo single, Forget About Us, was tasked with calling her A-list friends during a game and guessing whether they were sitting down or standing up.

Opting to call Cheryl Cole, 40, she said: ‘I think I can call mine Chezza or Cheryl Cole.

‘I would say a few years ago I was probably calling her every five seconds for advice and just to help me with life in general.’

Perrie rose to fame in Little Mix after they formed on The X Factor in 2011 alongside Leigh-Anne, Jade Thirlwall and Jesy Nelson, before disbanding in 2022, following Jesy’s departure in 2020.

Perrie Edwards, 30, has revealed she called a former X Factor judge 'every five seconds for advice' as she joined Gregg James on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show on Friday

Perrie Edwards, 30, has revealed she called a former X Factor judge ‘every five seconds for advice’ as she joined Gregg James on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show on Friday

They made X Factor history when they became the first ever group to win the ITV talent show with mentor Tulisa Contostavlos.

Cheryl was previously on the judging panel, as from 2008 to 2010 she began dating One Direction star Liam Payne in 2015, whose band appeared on the talent show in 2011 alongside Little Mix.

Cheryl and her now ex Liam first met seven years earlier when a then 14-year-old Liam first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008, but despite his tender years cheeky Liam was full of confidence as he gave his future love, then 24 , a cheeky wink.

Meanwhile, Perrie dated her bandmate Zayn Malik from December 2011, after meeting on the set of The X Factor, until 2015.

During the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Cheryl and Liam’s son Bear, seven, answered her phone after Perrie called live on air.

“Hello, who is this?” he asked as a beaming Perrie asked, ‘Is this Bjorn?’

‘Yes,’ he replied before confirming that he was indeed sitting down as the Little Mix singer cheered in triumph.

A very surprised Cheryl then came on the line and told host Greg: ‘Bear says “It’s my first time on the radio, now everyone knows me”‘.

Perrie shot to fame in Little Mix after they formed on The X Factor in 2011 alongside Leigh-Anne, Jade Thirlwall and Jesy Nelson (pictured) and has just released her debut solo single

Perrie shot to fame in Little Mix after they formed on The X Factor in 2011 alongside Leigh-Anne, Jade Thirlwall and Jesy Nelson (pictured) and has just released her debut solo single

Perrie shot to fame in Little Mix after they formed on The X Factor in 2011 alongside Leigh-Anne, Jade Thirlwall and Jesy Nelson (pictured) and has just released her debut solo single

Tasked with calling her friends on the list during a game on the show, Perrie chose to call Cheryl Cole, 40, saying: “I think I can call mine Chezza or Cheryl Cole” (pictured 2023)

“I would say a couple of years ago, I was probably calling her every five seconds for advice and just to help me with life in general,” Perrie admitted

Perrie is to follow in the footsteps of former bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson about to go solo.

The singer, who was previously engaged to Direction’s Zayn Malik before footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, revealed the new track was inspired by her past: ‘I look back on past relationships and think fondly of those times’.

‘Do I want to be there now? No. It didn’t work that way, and if it was meant to be, it would have happened. Relationships have been a big part of my life and they have made me who I am now’.

Before you add: ‘I think it’s a lovely feeling to be honest and it’s super relatable.’

Perrie, who shares two-year-old son Axel with fiance Alex, said her upcoming album would also feature rock and roll, country and disco influences.

‘Going into sessions as a solo artist now and being able to say what I want and what I feel is just the most amazing experience’.

Cheryl was previously on the judging panel from 2008 to 2010 and began dating One Direction star Liam Payne in 2015, whose band appeared on the talent show alongside Little Mix

Cheryl was previously on the judging panel from 2008 to 2010 and began dating One Direction star Liam Payne in 2015, whose band appeared on the talent show alongside Little Mix

Cheryl was previously on the judging panel from 2008 to 2010 and began dating One Direction star Liam Payne in 2015, whose band appeared on the talent show alongside Little Mix

Meanwhile, Perrie dated her bandmate Zayn Malik from December 2011, after meeting on the set of The X Factor, until 2015

Meanwhile, Perrie dated her bandmate Zayn Malik from December 2011, after meeting on the set of The X Factor, until 2015

Meanwhile, Perrie dated her bandmate Zayn Malik from December 2011, after meeting on the set of The X Factor, until 2015

During the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Cheryl's son Bear, seven, answered her phone after Perrie called live on air

During the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Cheryl's son Bear, seven, answered her phone after Perrie called live on air

During the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Cheryl’s son Bear, seven, answered her phone after Perrie called live on air

She continued: ‘I’ve never had the confidence to do that before, but this process has allowed me to believe in myself and explore all my different feelings and different parts of my life.’

The majority of the record was recorded at her home in North London after Alex suggested they convert their disused dining room into a home studio.

She admitted: ‘I’m so proud of what I’ve done and created. I wanted it to be fun above all else and showcase my singing through ballads and big vocal numbers’.

Before revealing her plans to tour with a live band: ‘Having people sing your songs back to you is the best natural high in the world. I’m just so excited to see how fans react to my music now.’