'I would smack her over the head!' Jesy Nelson insists she would scold Jade Thirlwall if she dated Justin Bieber... after ill-fated Australian radio prank

 After five years as a group they have clearly grown extremely close.

And Little Mix proved they are fiercely protective of one another as they enjoyed an early morning chat on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday.

Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson revealed that when they made up a fib about Jade dating Justin Bieber things went slightly wrong - yet Jesy still issued her with a firm warning if she were to go near the hitmaker.

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Gal pals: Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson [l-r] revealed that when they made up a fib about Jade dating Justin Bieber things went slightly wrong - yet Jesy still issued her with a firm warning if she were to go near the hitmaker.

In October the girls were chatting to Australian radio DJ Jackie O, famed for her on-air hijinx with co-host Kyle Sandilands, when they opted to play a prank on the unsuspecting interviewer - a stunt which unfortunately went pear-shaped.

Jesy explained: 'We were in Australia doing a radio interview and got Jade to pretend she was going out with Justin Bieber. Jade stormed out and our tour manager said she should know better.' 

Chatting to Susanna Reid and Ben Shepherd, Jade confirmed the story was completely fabricated and swore she never enjoyed a dalliance with the Baby hitmaker.  

Clearly disapproving of Bieber as a choice of boyfriend, Jesy issued the stern threat: 'I would smack her over the head!'

No love here: Jesy explained: 'We were in Australia doing a radio interview and got Jade to pretend she was going out with Justin Bieber. Jade stormed out and our tour manager said she should know better.'

No love here: Jesy explained: 'We were in Australia doing a radio interview and got Jade to pretend she was going out with Justin Bieber. Jade stormed out and our tour manager said she should know better.'

Deep in thought: Little Mix proved they are fiercely protective of one another as they enjoyed an early morning chat on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday

And while Bieber may be off the cards, Jade, who has been single since splitting from Diversity dancer Sam Craske in 2014, appears to be enjoying a new romance with The Struts bassist Jed Elliot.

Jade has been sharing some blissful snaps of romantic dates with Jed on her Instagram page over the past month, which have included a trip to Paris.

Jade and Jed, part of Derby-based band The Struts, were reportedly introduced through her bandmate Jesy Nelson's fiance, Jake Roche from Rixton whose band are pals of Jed's.

Setting the record straight: Jesy explained: 'We were in Australia doing a radio interview and got Jade to pretend she was going out with Justin Bieber. Jade stormed out and our tour manager said she should know better'

Chic ensembles: The girls displayed their usual sartorial sass as they all rocked edgy looks

Chic ensembles: The girls displayed their usual sartorial sass as they all rocked edgy looks

New love? And while Bieber may be off the cards, Jade, who has been single since splitting from Diversity dancer Sam Craske in 2014, appears to be enjoying a new romance with The Struts bassist Jed Elliot

New love? And while Bieber may be off the cards, Jade, who has been single since splitting from Diversity dancer Sam Craske in 2014, appears to be enjoying a new romance with The Struts bassist Jed Elliot

After hanging out as friends, Jade and Jed have spent more and more time together since the beginning of the year as Little Mix have enjoyed some weeks off.

A source told The Sun: 'Jade and Jed have been friends for a while but they've been enjoying some down time together in January when they've been in the same country. It's early days but they are having fun.' 

Also in Tuesday's chat, Perrie talked about how much fun she's having as she appeared on the show with her Little Mix bandmates.

Having a flipping good time: The girls were making pancakes as they appeared on the show

Having a flipping good time: The girls were making pancakes as they appeared on the show

Not true! Chatting to Susanna Reid and Ben Shepherd, Jade confirmed the story was completely fabricated and swore she never enjoyed a dalliance with the Baby hitmaker

Not true! Chatting to Susanna Reid and Ben Shepherd, Jade confirmed the story was completely fabricated and swore she never enjoyed a dalliance with the Baby hitmaker

Host Susanna asked the girls,' Do you have to be restrained on the tour?' to which Perrie replied: 'Normally, but on this tour, probably not.'

Just to hammer the point home, Jesy said: 'Perrie told me she's going to be naughty on this tour,' making the girls exclaim.

Perrie said: 'I will on this one. Normally, I like to get an early night, get in the bunk bed on the tour bus.' 

Leigh-Anne then said: 'We're three single girls!...' to which Jade Thirlwall yelled: 'Hey I'm not single.'

'Sorry, I forgot, it's new,' said Leigh-Anne as the girls all fell about laughing. 

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