Little Mix 'nervous' about Prince Harry meeting at variety performance

Little Mix have said they are nervous about meeting Prince Harry for the first time at the Royal Variety Performance.

The band are part of the star-studded line-up for the evening, hosted by Jack Whitehall, which will see artists like Sir Elton John, One Direction and Kylie Minogue also performing.

Band member Jade Thirlwall said: "It's such an honour, isn't it? It's like the show you watch growing up and it's really important to our family and friends. And, of course, to perform in front of the royal family is a big deal."

Her fellow band member Perrie Edwards added: "We've always wanted to do it and now that we're doing it, I'm really nervous ... it's a big deal, a very big deal."

When asked about meeting the youngest royal, who will be attending the show on Friday night, amid quips of "he's hot", Jesy Nelson also described him as 'the naughty royal".

Nelson said she would ask him: "Why are you the naughty one? Why are you the naughty royal? I think he's more of the bad boy... he seems to disobey the rules more."

As the first group to win ITV's The X Factor in 2011, they said they are all watching the show this year and named Che Chesterman, 4th Impact, Anton Stephans and Louisa Johnson as favourites so far.

Comedian Chris Ramsey - also part of the line-up - said he is glad to be performing for Harry as he thinks he is the royal who will like his comedy the best.

Ramsey - who said he has had to change bits of his routine to suit the show - added: "Obviously it's got to be clean and family friendly, but I know if you sent Prince Harry to one of my normal gigs, he'd love it.

"I know he would. I'm not saying I'm filth, but you know sometimes you can say things that are a bit ... I think he's the royal I can relate to the most, I think he's a really good bloke."

Other big artists lined up for the show include Ricky Martin, The Corrs, Josh Groban and American country singer Kacey Musgraves.

Traditionally, the Queen has taken it in turns with the Prince of Wales to attend the show,.

However, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's attendance last year, and Harry's presence this year, is a demonstration of how the younger members of the family are stepping in to help the Queen.

The annual event is in aid of the Royal Variety Charity, formally The Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund, of which the Queen is patron.

Money raised from the show helps hundreds of entertainers throughout the UK who need help and assistance as a result of old age, ill-health, or hard times.

Harry will meet a number of the performers, and the show will be screened on ITV in December.