Zayn Malik might want to cover his ears next week when Little Mix debut their latest single, as it sounds like the track might hit a little close to home.
The group have announced they’re performing a new track, ‘Shout Out To My Ex’, on ‘The X Factor’ on Sunday (16 October), which has been described as an “empowering, in-your-face break-up song”.
Given that the song was co-written by Little Mix themselves, it’s a fair guess that the songwriting sessions may have been a good chance for Perrie Edwards to vent after her split from Zayn last year, and the girls are pulling no punches in the lyrics.
On ‘It’s You’, for example, he’s heard singing: “She got her own reasons for talking to me, she don’t give a f*** about what I need.”
Zayn and Perrie began dating in 2012, after meeting while she was still a contestant on ‘The X Factor’, announcing their engagement a year later.
They eventually confirmed their split in 2015, and while Zayn has since started dating model Gigi Hadid, Perrie has been linked with actor Luke Pasqualino.
‘Shout Out To My Ex’ will be released on 17 October, the day after Little Mix’s ‘X Factor’ performance.
Eight Most Memorable 'X Factor' Romances
Tamera Foster and Sam Callahan(01 of08)
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In a year that saw Sam Bailey and Nicholas McDonald competing in the live final, it was Tamera Foster and Sam Callahan's relationship that had people talking outside of the show.
It was reported the couple split a year later, so she could focus on her career, after being signed to Simon Cowell's label.
Here they are looking far cooler than two people who met on 'The X Factor' have a right to, frankly. (credit:Mark Robert Milan via Getty Images)
Chloe Jasmine and Stevi Ritchie(02 of08)
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When Chloe and Stevi were first rumoured to have got together while they were still on 'The X Factor', we assumed it was completely fabricated... but it turns out they really were an item.
After a turbulent start, the two later got engaged, and entered the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house together in summer 2015.
However, they split a year later. (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
Zayn Malik and Geneva Lane(03 of08)
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Before One Direction were the biggest pop group on the planet, they were one of 16 acts who made it through to the 'X Factor' live shows in 2010, alongside future hitmakers John Adeleye, Nicolo Festa, Storm Lee and Treyc Cohen.
Competing directly against 1D in the groups category was Belle Amie, with band member Geneva Lane taking a shine to Zayn. (credit:Ken McKayREXShutterstock)
Zayn Malik and Rebecca Ferguson(04 of08)
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Zayn and Geneva didn't work out, but once the series was over, it emerged that he had begun dating runner-up Rebecca Ferguson (who was seven years his senior, but who's counting).
Eventually, though they ended things, with both of them having nothing but good things to say about the other. (credit:Ken McKayTalkback ThamesRexShutterstock)
Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards(05 of08)
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That's not the end of Zayn's 'X Factor' love story, though. Once he'd split from Rebecca, 1D appeared as musical guests on the ITV show, the same series that Little Mix were competing.
Zayn immediately took a shine to singer Perrie Edwards, and it wasn't long before they were rumoured to be dating, and later announced their engagement.
In summer 2015, though, it was reported they'd gone their separate ways, with Perrie now linked to Luke Pasqualino and Zayn constantly photographed with new girlfriend Gigi Hadid. (credit:BerettaSimsREXShutterstock)
Frankie Cocozza and Amelia Lily(06 of08)
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Frankie and Amelia were thought to have had a brief dalliance during their series of 'The X Factor', with conflicting reports about what had gone on between them.
Although Amelia never addressed it, she told reporters once the dust had settled: "It's Frankie, let's be honest... he's not boyfriend material."
Ouch. (credit:BerettaSimsREXShutterstock)
Caroline Flack and Harry Styles(07 of08)
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Can you believe this actually happened? Because it actually happened. (credit:Twitter)
Dannii Minogue and Simon Cowell(08 of08)
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Yes, it's not just the contestants who've found romance on 'The X Factor'.
It emerged years after Dannii Minogue stepped down from the judging panel that she'd had a brief affair with the music mogul, which was exposed in a biography of his life by Tim Bowers. (credit:Ken McKayTalkbackThamesREXShutterstock)