Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock has signed a record deal with Warner Music, according to reports.
After welcoming twins last year, Leigh-Anne, 30, looks set to make a stunning return to the charts as she eyes up a solo success.
The deal sees Leigh-Anne following in the footsteps of former bandmate Jesy Nelson, who signed with Republic Records in August.
Jesy, also 30, left Little Mix in December 2020 with remaining trio Leigh-Anne, Jade Thirwall and Perrie Edwards announcing their hiatus months later.
Boyz star Jesy's debut effort caused quite a commotion with allegations of black-fishing marring the single's launch.
And in more controversy it was allegedly Leigh-Anne who'd warned her bandmate about cultural appropriation on a previous occasion.
However the star is now set to follow in Jesy's footsteps as she launches herself as a solo act.
A source said: “A number of labels were keen to bag Leigh-Anne but Warner seemed the best fit," reports The Sun.
“She’s already been in the studio working on tracks for months."
Warner represents huge stars including Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa and Madonna.
The source added:“ Leigh-Anne unequivocally loves Little Mix and always will, but the truth is she’s been ready to branch out on her own for some time."
The Mirror has contacted Leigh-Anne's reps for comment.
The source also said the mum-of-twins was 'more than capable of standing on her own two feet' after the success of her film Boxing Day.
The star said she finally felt "seen" after starring in her debut movie.
Leigh-Anne had previously opened up about feeling "invisible" in the girl group as she spoke about her experiences with racism in her BBC documentary called Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop & Power.
Explaining how the movie helped her, she said: "It was literally like walking into a whole new world. I just remember when the opportunity came and the audition, I just couldn't refuse it, like I had to do it.
Leigh-Anne also revealed that performing a cover of I Say a Little Prayer in the film will "forever be one of the proudest moments" of her life.
Taking to Instagram she wrote: "This will forever be one of the proudest moments of my life.
I'll never forget the pride on my mum and dad's faces when they were watching. My mum cried her eyes out because it's one of her favourite songs."
And taking the opportunity to clap back at critics, who have previously questioned her talent, she said: "And to anyone who once said I couldn't ... I DID that."
