Little Mix ROAST Perrie Edwards' ex Zayn Malik as they debut new single on The X Factor
LITTLE MIX sparked a social media firestorm tonight as they debuted a new track many have assumed to be about Perrie Edwards' ex, Zayn Malik.
Little Mix wow X Factor audience with new single
The pop duo famously split last year after a long-running engagement, having first met on The X Factor in 2011.
Tonight the girlband returned to the talent show to launch their new track Shout Out To My Ex; widely presumed to be aimed at the former One Direction member.
Perrie sings: "I hope she gettin’ better sex, hope she ain't fakin’ it like I did, babe.
"Took four long years to call it quits, forget that boy, I'm over it."
Perrie Edwards' band Little Mix performed on The X Factor
Their new single is widely thought to be aimed at Zayn
She was supported by her bandmates - including Jesy Nelson
In the chorus, the girls declare: "Shout out to my ex, you're really quite the man, you made my heart break and that made me who I am."
The song's title was trending throughout the programme's broadcast, with Perrie's name also riding high on the list of most-discussed topics.
"SHOUT OUT TO MY EX IS AMAZING," declared one excited fan, while another fan of caps-lock said: "ALL HAIL LITTLE MIX, SAVIOURS OF POP, LEOTARD QUEENS AND GENERAL PURVEYORS OF POPPERS O'CLOCK BANGER EXCELLENCE #xfactor #ShoutoutToMyEx."
Someone else wrote: "Perrie looked so happy and confident during that performance I'm blessed."
The performance sparked tens of thousands of tweets
Continuing the trend of capitalised enthusiasm, yet another fan posted: "THE GIRLS WERE SO PROUD WHEN PERRIE WAS SINGING HER SOLO AHHH I LOVE THEM."
The performance wasn't without its detractors, however, as others criticised the group's flesh-baring outfits.
The X Factor airs next Saturday at 8pm on ITV.