Little Mix The Search is a British reality television music competition that was announced in October 2019, and began airing on BBC One on 26 September 2020, concluding with the final on 7 November 2020. The series was judged by British girl group Little Mix, with the winning act from the series joining them on The Confetti Tour (2022). In August 2021 it was announced that the show had been put on an "indefinite hold" after one series.

History The premise for Little Mix The Search was announced in October 2019, when applications for the show were opened. The premise of The Search was for British girl group Little Mix to find singers to form a new group. It was confirmed that the members of Little Mix, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Jesy Nelson, would act as judges. Applications closed on 10 January 2020, and filming commenced later that month. In March 2020, it was announced that comedian Chris Ramsey would be presenting The Search.

The auditions and group formation episodes had been filmed and were set to air on BBC One in April 2020 with the live shows following shortly afterwards. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their Summer 2020 Tour was cancelled and the series was postponed while the production team debated how to proceed under lockdown guidelines. When asked about the effect of the pandemic on The Search, Edwards said: "The live shows bit is coming, obviously we don’t know when but everything else before the live shows we’ve already filmed. So everything’s good to go, we’re basically just waiting for lockdown." On 20 July 2020, it was announced that the series would premiere later in the year, later confirmed to be on 26 September 2020, beginning with the pre-filmed auditions and group formation episodes, before commencing the live shows under social distancing guidelines. The groups competed for a chance to support Little Mix on their Confetti Tour in 2021, later rescheduled to 2022.

On 14 October 2020, it was announced via Twitter that the first live episode, originally set for broadcast on 17 October, had been postponed to 24 October due to several members of the production crew having been tested positive for COVID-19 and entering self-isolation. The showrunners and producers confirmed that none of the members of Little Mix tested positive for the virus. On 21 October, it was announced that Thirlwall, who had decided to self-isolate at home as a precaution, would appear during the first live episode solely via video link. On 24 October, Little Mix performed "Sweet Melody" as part of the "Battle of the Bands" episode, a performance that Thirlwall was absent for. On 31 October, the semi-final was postponed to 6 November in favour of a BBC News special due to the announcement of new COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in England, with the final following it on 7 November. On 7 November, it was announced that Nelson would be unable to appear during the final due to an illness; she would ultimately quit the band just over a month after the series had concluded.

Cancellation On 26 August 2021, it was announced that the show would not be returning for a second series and had been put on an "indefinite hold", with the head of BBC Entertainment citing Edwards' and Pinnock's pregnancies as a factor.

Episodes

Live performances Colour key Indicates that the group was in the bottom two and had to perform again in the sing off Indicates that the group was eliminated Indicates that the group won the competition

"Battle of the Bands" (24 October 2020) Special Performances: Little Mix – "Sweet Melody" Jax Jones and Au/Ra - "I Miss U"

+ Contestants' performances on the first live show Band Order Song(s) Score Leaderboard Result Since September 1 "I Knew You Were Trouble" 84% 4th Advanced Nostalia 2 "Case of the Ex"/"Try Again" 90% 2nd Advanced New Priority 3 "Can't Feel My Face" 87% 3rd Advanced Jasper Blue 4 "Just Got Paid" 79% 5th Bottom two YChange 5 "West Ten" 94% 1st Advanced Melladaze 6 "Sucker"/"Get Right" 77% 6th Bottom two Sing-off details Jasper Blue 1 "Walk Me Home" Eliminated Melladaze 2 "We Got Love" Saved (4 Votes) Little Mix's votes to send through to the semi-final Thirlwall: Melladaze Pinnock: Melladaze Edwards: Melladaze Nelson was not required to vote as there was already a majority, but confirmed she would have voted to send through Melladaze.

"Semi-Final" (6 November 2020) Special Performances: Little Mix – "Holiday"/"Touch" McFly – "Tonight is the Night"

+ Contestants' performances on the second live show Band Order Song(s) Score Leaderboard Result Melladaze 1 "Kings & Queens"/"Where Have You Been" 92% 2nd Advanced YChange 2 "Gotta Get Thru This" 90% 3rd Advanced New Priority 3 "Into You" 78% 5th Bottom two Since September 4 "Watermelon Sugar" 89% 4th Bottom two Nostalia 5 "As" 95% 1st Advanced Sing-off details New Priority 1"Lose Somebody" Eliminated Since September 2"Before You Go" Saved (Tie - Majority of panel later agreed)

Little Mix's votes to send through to the final Pinnock: New Priority Thirlwall: Since September Nelson: New Priority Edwards: Since September

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the girls had to deliberate with each other to decide whom to send through to the final. Pinnock was given the casting vote and eventually chose to send Since September through to the final.

"Final" (7 November 2020) Special Performances: Little Mix – "Secret Love Song" Zara Larsson – "WOW" +Contestants' performances on the third and final live showBand OrderFirst songScoreOrderSecond songScoreLeaderboardPlace on Little Mix: The SearchYChange1"All of the Lights"/"Never Forget You"284/3005"Runnin' (Lose It All)" 300/300Joint 1stTop Four Since September 2 "Don't Look Back in Anger"/"Survivor" 280/300 6 "Drag Me Down"/"Old Town Road" 300/300 3rd WinnersMelladaze3"Confident"/"Kill This Love"279/3007"Get Lucky"284/3004thTop FourNostalia4"No Scrubs"/"Shackles (Praise You)"284/3008"When the Party's Over"/"Diamonds"300/300Joint 1stTop Four

Results summary Colour key Indicates that the group had the highest score and won the episode Indicates that the group was in the bottom two and had to perform again in the sing-off Indicates that the group was eliminated from the competition Indicates that the group won Little Mix The Search Indicates that the group was a runner-up

Band NameBand TypeBattle of the BandsSemi-FinalThe FinalScore RankingScoreRanking Since September Vocal & Instruments 84% 4th89%4thWinner Nostalia Girl Vocal 90% 2nd95%1stRunner-up Melladaze Girl Dance77%6th 92% 2ndRunner-up YChange Rap R&B94% 1st 90% 3rdRunner-up New Priority Boyband 87%3rd78%5thEliminated(Semi-Final) Jasper Blue Mixed Group79% 5th (6th in the show) Eliminated(Battle of the Bands)

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Result 2020 I Talk Telly Awards Best Talent Show 2021 National Television Awards Best Talent Show

References

External links