Jade Thirlwall recalled a time when she constantly fought for her life after a long battle with anorexia and depression.

The Little Mix singer experienced dramatic weight loss and felt severely insecure after losing a close relative. It took a long time before the star finally realized she was in need of professional help.

Jade revealed in her group’s new book, Our World: “My periods stopped and things were getting out of control but I don’t think I really cared about what was happening to me. I felt so depressed at the time that I just wanted to waste away and disappear …

Anorexia is a self-destructive thing and you become stubborn, so when people are trying to tell you something you get it into your head that they’re against you and you’re not going to listen.”

The artist explained that it took some “tough” and serious conversations to open her eyes.

She continued: “It took going to hospital to make me realise that it wasn’t a game, it was something really serious. They sat me down in the clinic and were quite tough at first, spelling it out, ‘You’re destroying your body and if you keep doing this you will die.'”

But the star feels much better these days, especially after meeting her fellow bandmates – Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson – whom she views as fellow sisters.

Leigh-Anne recently shared: “A force to be reckoned with… for 5 years my girls and I have stuck together, been there for each other and grown into not only best friends but sisters.. that will always have each other’s backs!

We’ve been through break ups, we’ve been at our lowest but we have always helped each other and come out stronger on the other end! Call me the luckiest girl alive, because this is a dream I am living, but I get to live it with 3 of the most talented, special individuals alive. Now let’s smash the s**t out of this #shoutoutomyex.”