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Little Mix's Jesy Nelson says she feels "lucky" to have had so much support after getting abusive messages online.

The 20-year-old was seen crying on a recent episode of X Factor after a series of negative comments on internet forums and Twitter.

"The support we've had since that clip got played has been incredible," said Nelson.

"Young girls have been writing to me and tweeting me saying we're inspiring them.

"This one girl wrote to me and said that she knows that I got all of that [abuse] but seeing me go on stage and still smile has inspired her to do it because she gets bullied as well.

"When you see those bad comments it does make you feel rubbish, but then you realise that for every bad comment you get there's a thousand good comments.

The X Factor girl-group are current favourites to win the competition.

"We're so lucky to have the support that we've got and the support of the other girls, they're like my sisters."

Fellow member Jade Thirlwall added: "To think that we're role models is just amazing."

The group also told Newsbeat they've also received advice from former contestant Cher Lloyd.

"[Cher Lloyd] phoned me and told me to not listen to any of the negative comments. Just remember you're doing it for your family and friends and the other girls," Nelson said.

Little Mix are the only group left in this year's X Factor. They are one of five remaining acts, along with Janet Devlin, Misha B, Amelia Lily and Marcus Collins.

The group are being mentored by N-Dubz member Tulisa Contostavlos.