Little Mix leave Simon Cowell’s Syco label after ‘extraordinary row’

X Factor winners Little Mix have left Simon Cowell’s Syco record label ahead of their new album release.

The 2011 champions are set to release their fifth studio record later this month, but will now do so on RCA Records.

Both Little Mix and reigning X Factor winners Rak-Su are said to have made the switch from Syco after an ‘extraordinary row’ behind the scenes.

The Sun reports that Little Mix’s management team – as well as the girls themselves – have “cut all ties” with Simon’s label.

The tabloid claims that Little Mix – made up of Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards – sent Simon a “strongly worded email, raising issues they had with his label.”

It’s said that the group’s Modest! Management team subsequently decided to part ways from the music company, taking their acts with them.

A spokesperson for Simon told the newspaper in a statement: “Syco Music will no longer work with Modest Management and therefore any artists signed to that management company.

“We do, of course, wish all artists affected by this decision every future success. Consequently, LM5, the forthcoming Little Mix album A&R’d and released on Syco Music, is to be serviced by RCA at the request of Syco and Simon Cowell.”

Little Mix performed last month on The X Factor live shows and will still return for the final in December, it’s claimed.

Their album LM5 will be out next Friday, November 16.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News earlier this year, Jade said of the record: “This is definitely my favourite album, you can tell it’s come from us.

“There’s a lot of female empowerment, lots of songs give a nod to being yourself. Through working with Stonewall I’ve become a better writer.

“I’m really excited for this album. We’re definitely ready to release something, we’re missing having our music out there.”

The X Factor’s current series is back Saturday and Sunday night on ITV.