Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall has taken over one of the UK’s best known landmarks to help launch her brand new solo single – with a Eurovision twist.
The English singer-songwriter, 31, is the last of the four girls to go solo, with Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson, and Perrie Edwards all having released singles already.
Launched by The X Factor after winning the competition’s eighth series in 2011, Little Mix became one of the biggest girl groups in the world of pop.
They disbanded in 2022 after Jesy’s departure in 2020, and Jade has bided her time before launching her solo career – she’s pledged to burst out with a ‘pop punch to the face’.
And to launch the new single, titled Angel of My Dreams, she’s paid tribute to her home of the north east by taking over its most famous landmark: the Angel of the North.
WIN Two tickets to see Girls Aloud at Brighton Pride
We’re offering five lucky Metro readers the chance to win tickets to Fabuloso In The Park at Brighton Pride on Saturday 3 August 2024.
You and your +1 could be joining the crowds for an all-day extravaganza of music, performances and community spirit. Headlined by Girls Aloud and featuring Billy Porter and Murder on the Dancefloor hitmaker Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
To enter, fill out the form below before midday on 28 July. Click here if the form is not loading. Open to UK residents, excluding residents of Northern Island. Over 18s only. Full T&C’s apply
Pictures shared on social media showed the title of the song emblazoned on the famous statue with her logo, which simply said ‘JADE’ exactly in the middle.
The iconic landmark, which lies just off the A1 in Gateshead, was completed in 1998 – it’s something Jade has always tried to pay tribute to.
During an appearance on Eat In With Little Mix – a cooking competition between the Little Mix group members – she tried to make a crispy cake model of the statue. However, her tribute didn’t quite go to plan.
She told The Shields Gazette: ‘I tried to make an Angel of the North crispy cake, and it ended up looking like [South Park character] Mr. Hanky The Christmas Poo. It was awful.’
And it got worse from there, she explained: ‘I’ve actually still got a stain on my wall, from where it fell into it and met its demise. It just fell apart.’
But she promised the north-east newspaper that she would always make an ‘effort’ when it comes to paying her respects to the Angel of the North.
Another tribute Jade pays on Angel of My Dreams is to the UK’s 1967 Eurovision winner Sandie Shaw and her winning song Puppet On a String.
In the song’s opening few moments, the iconic 60s hit can be heard loud and clear before Jade’s voice comes in, drawing a line between the past and present day.
On Twitter, @OllieOwenn said: ‘Jade Thirlwall opening Angel of My Dreams with ’s Puppet On a String is insane, I am obsessed with her.’
User @mchlrchr commented: ‘May need to give the Jade song a few listens. But extra points for me for sampling the first UK Eurovision winner Sandie Shaw’s Puppet on a String!’
The music video features clips of Jade’s journey as a singer, from performing on karaoke machines as a child to auditioning for The X Factor aged just 18.