Little Mix have said they only wear what they feel comfortable in following criticism about the group’s racy outfits during their performance on X Factor.

The girl band, who scored a number one with break-up anthem Shout Out To My Ex on Friday, faced criticism after performing the single on the show last week.

But band member Jade Thirlwall said they had total control over their outfits and did not really know what “the big deal” was.

Little Mix.
Little Mix (Ryan Phillips/PA)

Speaking on the red carpet at Radio 1′s Teen Awards, where they are set to perform, she told the Press Association: “It’s all us. We’re comfortable in what we wear.

“We know what we are wearing and to be honest we were like – we don’t really know what the big deal was. It was really weird.”

She added: “Every woman that I’ve spoken to has said ‘yes girl’.

“We don’t see what the problem is. And I think everyone’s got to have something to say – so they picked that one.”

Little Mix will be joined by Jess Glynne, DNCE, The Vamps, Shawn Mendes, and special guests for the seventh annual awards ceremony at the SSE Wembley Arena.

Too provocative?
Little Mix (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

More than 9,000 14 to 17 year olds are expected to attend the awards, which recognise the selflessness and bravery of the UK’s young unsung heroes and also honour stars in the music, entertainment, online and sporting industries.

Last week, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed the Teen Heroes of 2016 to Kensington Palace for a reception ahead of the ceremony.

The group, who were joined by Radio 1 DJ’s Nick Grimshaw, Clara Amfo and Greg James, were praised by Prince William for being “shining lights” for their peers.

Greg described his meeting the royals as “bizarre”.

Speaking on the red carpet, he said: “They were just incredible. They were so lovely and I had this mad job of having to meet them at their front door – of their own house – and brief them about the Teen Awards.

“I said ‘Lovely to meet you Sir, lovely to meet you Mam’ and I said ‘I’m Greg’.

“And he said, ‘Yes I know who you are I listen to your show every now and again’.

Greg added that the couple “put everyone at ease immediately”.

Greg James (Matt Crossick/PA)
Greg James (Matt Crossick/PA)

“I just thought I’d like to go for a beer with you – or maybe the cricket in the summer,” he said.