Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson announced the heartbreaking news that her baby girls, twins Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, have been diagnosed with life-limiting illness spinal muscular atrophy
11:56, 04 Jan 2026Updated 15:26, 04 Jan 2026
Celebrities reaching out to Jesy Nelson amid twin girls devastating diagnosis(Image: Instagram)
Jesy Nelson has been inundated with messages of support from fans and famous faces after she revealed the heartbreaking news of her baby girls’ diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Former Little Mix star Jesy, 34, welcomed her adorable twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster in May.
But she revealed today that she had started to question if her eight-month-old twins were not moving as much as they should. Having been advised that the babies will show slower development as they were premature, Jesy said she told herself not to “compare them” to other babies of the same age.
However, when they were struggling to feed, Jesy continued to push medical professionals, and the girls went on to be diagnosed with SMA Type 1. SMA is a rare genetic condition that affects every muscle in the body, from limbs to swallowing – as yet, it is not included as part of the NHS heel prick test offered to newborns in the UK.
Proud mum Jesy welcomed her babies in May 2025(Image: jesynelson/Instagram)
The star held back tears as she addressed her followers to speak about her babies(Image: Instagram/jesynelson)READ MORE: Jesy Nelson told her twin babies will never walk after devastating diagnosis
Celebrities have rushed to support Jesy. Love Island’s Shaughna Phillips told the new mum: “Sending you and your girls so much love and positive prayers, you are a superwoman and they are lucky to have you.”
Jesy’s ex partner Chris Hughes shared: “A warrior Jess. Be easy on yourself. Sending prayers to you all, everyone is behind you guys.”
Liam Payne’s grieving sister also showed her support for Jesy, as she navigates the heartbreaking news. She wrote: “Sending so much love to you all xx”
Former Made in Chelsea star Ashely James added: “Jesy I’m so sorry. I’m thinking of you and your girls and sending love.” While fellow reality star, TOWIE’s Megan McKenna shared: “My heart is breaking for the pain you are in right now. Sending so many prayers and love to your beautiful girls.”
Meanwhile, Simon Cowell’s wife Lauren Silverman also responded with her support of Jesy, reassuring her she is in “great hands” with Great Ormond Street. She posted: “Jesy, I am so sorry to hear this. It’s absolutely devastating.
“Simon and I are ambassadors for great Ormond street hospital. I know if anyone can help you and give your girls the best possible chance at beating this and fighting it, it’s them. This is why we are so passionate about this charity. The work they do is amazing and I really know that by being with them, you’re in the absolute best hands. I am praying for you all and sending you so much love and strength.”
TOWIE star Jess Wright said she was “Sending you so much love and strength” with co-star Amy Childs adding: “I’m so sorry Jesy what your going through x sending love and strength to you and your beautiful girls xxx”
Phats and Small singer, and Vanessa Feltz’ ex, Ben Ofeudu wrote on Jesy’s post: “I’m so sorry to hear this May God give you the strength to get through this and may he also bless your girls with his divine power.” Singer Kamille, who worked with Simon Cowell on his recent Netflix documentary wrote: “I’m so sorry, sending so much love.”
Traitors season two winner Leanne Quigley shared: “Sending so much love and prayers to you and your brave girls.”
In her Instagram video, brave mum Jesy said the rare genetic condition affects every muscle in the body from the legs and arms to swallowing. The star said she is now acting as a full-time nurse to her girls and has had to do ‘things no mother should.’ The diagnosis came after her mum pointed out the girls were not moving as much as they should for their age.
Jesy Nelson and her baby daughter, Ocean Jade(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
The singer encountered complications during pregnancy and was kept in hospital for months(Image: Instagram/jesynelson)
Jesy began the video: “I wanted to come on here to share some news with you guys. I’m not actually sure where to start with this video.
“A few months ago my mum noticed that the girls were not showing as much movement in their legs as they should be.
“It wasn’t really a concern to me at the time. From the minute I left NICU I was told, ‘Your babies are premature so don’t compare your babies to other babies. They won’t reach the same milestones take them as they are.’
“It didn’t really ring alarm bells to me. They are my first set of children and I was told not to compare to them. Health care visitors insisted everything was fine and the girls are healthy.
“There were a few signs later on that the girls were struggling to feed properly. We would take them to the GP and say ‘Our babies are not feeding as frequently as they should.’ They said it was fine and to try little and often.”
Jesy went on: “Long story short, after the most gruelling three to four months and endless appointments, the girls have been diagnosed with a severe disease called SMA type one. It stands for Spinal Muscle Atrophy which affects every muscle in the body from legs, arms, swallowing.
“Over time it kills the muscles in the body. If it’s not treated in time, your babies life expectancy will not make it past the age of two.
“Once the girls got treated it was a very rapid process. Time is of the essence with this disease.
“When they assessed the girls at Great Ormond Street, we were told they were never going to be able to walk. They would probably never regain their neck strength. They will be disabled,” said Jesy.
“The best thing we can do right now is to get them treatment and hope for the best,” she added.
“Thankfully the girls have had their treatment which I’m so grateful for. If they didn’t have it they would die.”
Explaining how her life has been turned upside down, she explained: “The hospital has become my second home. I feel like I’ve had to become a nurse within two weeks of getting the diagnosis. I’ve had to do stuff no mother should have to do to their child. I made this video because the last three months have been the most heartbreaking time of my life.”
Breaking down in tears, Jesy said: “I know i have to be grateful. At the end of the day they are still here and that’s the main thing. They’ve had their treatment. I truly believe that my girls will defy the all the orders and with the right help they will fight this.”
Jesy also went through a complicated pregnancy, during which her girls were diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), which she also documented on social media.
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