This week's guest has had a stratospheric rise to fame since bursting onto our screens on the X Factor in 2011.

I'd say it was an X Factor sweet spot.

Now, whilst we are used to seeing her perform massive hits alongside her three band members of Little Mix.

Today, we're going to be hearing all about the stories behind it all.

Welcome to this city, the podcast that reveals the stories, hidden gems and certified spots

tried and tested by some of London's most recognisable names. Whether they're born and bred here

or have made the capital their second home, London holds a key piece to their heart. This week,

I'm talking to the adorable and powerful Jade Thurwell. Well, let's take it back. Jade,

where are you originally from? So I'm from South Shields, which is like 20 minutes from Newcastle.

Northern girl grew up there. The first time I came to London properly was when I auditioned for X Factor and I got

through to boot camp and I remember got the train to London and I was there on my own for the

first time and I was terrified.

That's mad.

I was always under the assumption that you auditioned in the North East so you came down to London specifically for your audition. Yes, because I'd auditioned like three times over the years. And I'd done auditioning in Glasgow. I think the second time I did Liverpool. And third time, yeah, London. Was your lucky city? It was. The Book Camp Stage Expert, I lasted for like a week. So I was there on my on my own it was all very very exciting and but a bit scary as well I think for like a girl from a really small little town by the city like London for me was like the Emerald City

you know what I mean it was like it was where you went to make it to be. And obviously, as someone that wanted to be a singer,

like I just dreamed of eventually moving there, obviously couldn't afford it. And the position I was in at the time, to me, it was like the dream land where I would go to make it as a singer. I didn't know anything about London. I just, yeah, I'd saw pictures and I'd be in the theatre before. I didn't know, like, any of the areas. So yeah, book campers in Wembley.

And then I think once we got through the lives,

we moved to. I'd saw pictures and I'd be in the theatre before. I didn't know like any of the areas. So yeah,

Bucamp was in Wembley and then I think once we got through the lives we moved to like this house in Hartfordshire, this big massive house. So my initial like first experiences of London were like

oh it's all very showbiz. You're seeing this big luxurious house and there was like you know

camera crews constantly and it was

literally like living the dream and it was so exciting. And then when we actually won the show

...