Little Mix star Jesy Nelson confirms split from fiancé just weeks after announcing twin daughters' heartbreaking diagnosis
Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has split with fiancé Zion Foster after four years together, following the pair's twin daughters being diagnosed with SMA Type 1.
The 34-year-old singer gave birth to Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster last May, both of whom she shares with the musician.
Last month, Nelson took to Instagram to announce the twin girls had been diagnosed with 'severe muscular disease', Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), following 'the most gruelling three, four months, and endless appointments'.
SMA is described by the NHS as a 'rare genetic condition' that 'gets worse over time,' however, there are 'medicines and other treatments' which help manage symptoms, which include muscle weakness, movement problems and problems with breathing or swallowing.
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It affects one in every 10,000 babies worldwide, and 48 babies are born with SMA in the UK each year.
The 34-year-old reflected on the period as 'the most heartbreaking time of [her] life' and has since announced she and Foster have decided to end their romantic relationship after four years together.
In an interview with The Daily Mail, Nelson explained it's the 'traumatic experience' the family has been through and their daughters being their 'main priority' and 'main focus' which has led to them deciding to part ways.
Nelson explained the 'energy' between the couple 'wasn't right' anymore.
The singer added that while this was 'understandable', the pair ultimately decided to split up in a bid to ensure they could give their daughters 'the most positive, happy and uplifting time and energy'.
"We are still friends, and we are still united in co-parenting our daughters, they are our main focus, that's all we can do, be the best possible parents we can right now," she said.
Ocean Jade and Story Monroe were diagnosed with SMA at six months old after Jesy spotted their legs weren't moving in the way they should.
Unfortunately, early diagnosis is key, and by then, Jesy told This Morning, 'the damage had already set in'.
Doctors said her daughters are 'probably never gonna be able to walk'.
Since then, Story Monroe has had 'to be on a breathing machine at night because she isn't strong enough to breathe by herself at night'.
She added that the twins 'have to have cough assist machines to help them cough'.
Jesy told Sky News: "It took for my mum to spot that sign and that's what's really worrying because we had healthcare visitors come a lot and none of them spotted those signs."
Poppy Bilderbeck