Category Entertainment News

Two parents who are well-versed in the importance of early screening are pushing for change in the NHS as Jesy Nelson opens up about her twins’ spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) diagnosis.

Jesy Nelson revealed today that her twins may never be able to walk despite their heartbreaking diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Unfortunately, she is not the only mother who has SMA, which, if left untreated, can be fatal in just two years.

Following a challenging pregnancy and an emergency procedure, Jesy, 34, and her partner, Zion Foster, 27, welcomed their daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster into the world on May 15. Unfortunately, the baby girls’ health problems increased as a result of discovering they were carrying SMA Type 1, a severe form of the disease that eventually destroys the muscles in a person’s body.

Opening up to followers on Instagram, Jesy shared: “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. The best thing we can do right now is to get them treatment and hope for the best. Thankfully, the girls have had their treatment, which I’m so grateful for. If they didn’t have it, they would die.”

READ MORE: Jesy Nelson’s boyfriend Zion breaks silence with hopeful message and new photo of twins

Messages of support have flooded in for Jesy, including Rosie and Wes, who have shared their own personal experience of raising two children with SMA, with very different outcomes. Taking to their Marley’s Journey, Facebook page, the parents, from Driffield, East Yorkshire, wrote: “Sending so much love and strength to Jesy & her beautiful family with their twin girls’ diagnosis of SMA type 1.”

Marley and Meadow, age five and six months old, are the parents of Rosie and Wes, who spoke to BBC News about their children’s diagnoses in November and stressed the importance of early screening. While young sister Meadow, who was tested at birth, is meeting all of her developmental milestones and has the ability to undergo gene therapy right away, young Marley, who was diagnosed at five months, is unable to walk or talk and needs assistance with breathing.

Rosie said, “Your life turns around the earlier you learn about the newborn SMA.” Marley requires constant care and complex needs. Meadow will hardly need any breathing assistance because she will live a completely normal life.

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Rosie and Wes are now supporting a campaign by the charity SMA UK, which wants to add this condition to a blood test that already screens newborns for ten uncommon but severe conditions. SMA screening is currently only performed on babies who already have a brother or sister who are affected by the condition.

An estimated 47 babies in the UK were born with SMA in 2024, according to SMA UK, despite the fact that one in 40 people have the SMA-related gene that can cause it. When Marley was five months old and given the diagnosis of SMA, Rosie and Wes’ world “came “crashing down.” He received a healthy copy of the affected gene with the life-enhancing gene therapy drug Zolgensma at the age of 16 months.

The nervous system may already have suffered irreversibly negative effects, so timing is everything when it comes to this treatment. Rosie blasted the difficulties Marley faces daily, describing how “Marley needs to have respiratory support every day. He is fed via a tube because he can’t swallow orally. At night, he uses a ventilator. He is unable to speak or walk.

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The baby girl can roll over like other girls her age, which makes it a different story for her. She received the drug at just a few weeks old. Rosie is aware of how drastically different the two siblings’ lives will be, despite Marley’s enormous leaps in his progress and his physiotherapy and medication. “I think the guilt that eats me and my partner, as well as other SMA families, is enormous,” Rosie said. It gets better if you’ve had a child with SMA.

Back in 2018, the UK National Screening Committee (NSC) recommended against SMA screening for SMA, due to limited evidence of long-term treatment outcomes, as well as cost-effectiveness for the NHS. Over the past few years, however, the NSC has conducted an external review of the decision, on account of “significant developments”, such as new drugs. Going forward, additional evaluation work is scheduled to be carried out within the NHS.

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READ MORE: Jesy Nelson inundated with support from pals including ex Chris Hughes after diagnosis

Spinal Muscular Atrophy has been identified in the baby twins of Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson. Although early treatment is necessary, the NHS does not routinely offer testing.

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With some genetic conditions that affect newborns, time is of the essence, and early diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is one of those illnesses, and today, Little Mix star Jesy Nelson shared the heartbreaking news that her twins have both been diagnosed with the rare genetic condition and may never walk. The 34-year-old singer and her musician fiancé Zion Foster, 27, welcomed daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster in May after a difficult pregnancy.

Fighting back tears, she shared a video to Instagram to say her girls had the most severe form of the disease which kills muscles in the body over time. SMA causes floppiness in the limbs, difficulty breathing and swallowing as well as delayed motor skills.

Prior to 2019, babies with SMA type 1 often wouldn’t survive until their second birthday, and infants with the milder type 2 would never walk, facing life in a wheelchair as well as multiple surgeries and respiratory infections. In the past five years treatments have been approved for use on the NHS that can stop the disease in its tracks – the earlier the treatment is given then the less the damage will be.

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However the tests need to be started within the first weeks, or even days, of life. Babies in the UK aren’t tested for SMA, for many the diagnosis comes too late for this. Campaigners and senior experts are pushing for that to change. Testing for all babies is due to begin in Scotland in 2026 under a two-year pilot programme. Portia Thorman, from SMA UK, believes it would be ”ethically wrong” not to introduce screening throughout the UK. “I think facing a diagnosis now, you can be filled with hope,” she says.

In the meantime, parents should contact SMA UK, as well as their treating hospital, for guidance as not all private tests will be suitable for babies and results are always best interpreted by a trained professional. Costs to go private range between £413 to £900. Private Blood Tests London offers an SMN1 deletions/duplications test for £924 with results back in 10 days. No GP referral is needed. A similar test by Synnovis has a price tag of £413 but will need to be arranged through your NHS hospital. Results come back with in three days. Harley Street’s Medical Express Clinic charges £567 with results in 10 days.

After her mother noticed that the twins weren’t moving as much as they should for their age, Jessica first visited her GP. Jesy claimed she told herself not to “compare” the babies to other babies of the same age because she had been warned that they would develop more slowly as they were premature. Jesy’s twins were diagnosed with SMA Type 1 after asking for help.

Jesy shared the news with you guys on Instagram, saying, “I wanted to come on here to share some news. With this video, I’m not exactly sure where to begin.

My mother noticed that the girls’ legs weren’t moving as much as they should. At the time, I didn’t really care about it. Your babies are premature, so don’t compare your babies to other babies, advice I received right away when I left the NICU. They simply accept them as they are, despite not achieving the same goals. ‘

It didn’t really ring the alarm, I thought. I was instructed not to compare them to my first child because they are my first. The girls’ health care providers reaffirmed that everything was alright and that the girls were healthy.

Later, there were some indications that the girls were having trouble consuming enough food. We would take them to the doctor and say, “Our babies are not feeding as frequently as they should. They said it was fine and to give it a restraint. “

The girls have been given the most exhausting three to four months and interminable appointments, according to Jesy, who continued, “Long story short, they have been given the diagnosis of SMA Type One, a severe disease.” Every muscle in the body, from the legs to the arms to swallowing, is affected by spinal muscular atrophy. It eventually causes the body’s muscles to become dead. Your baby’s life expectancy won’t exceed two if it isn’t treated in time.

Time is of the essence with this disease, Jesy said, “Once the girls got treated, it was a very quick process.” We were told that the girls at Great Ormond Street would never be able to walk when they were surveyed. They’d probably never be able to use their necks again. They will be disabled.

The best thing we can do at this time is to treat them and hope for the best,” she continued. “I’m so grateful that the girls received the care they needed.” They would perish without it if they didn’t have it. “

Although there is no known cure for (SMA), there are options for treatment and support to ensure that people have the best possible quality of life. If one in 40 children has a carrier gene for the condition, then the child is born with SMA.

Jesy described how her life has changed in the past four months as “I am grieving a life I believed I was going to have with my kids.”

“It has become my second home,” I said. Within two weeks of receiving the diagnosis, I feel like I must start nursing. Nothing a mother should have to do to their child should have to do.

Because the last three months have been my life’s most heartbreaking experience, I made this video. “

The ongoing conflict between his son Brooklyn and the rest of the Beckhams threatens to dampen his big day as the England legend prepares to accept his Hollywood Walk of Fame award.

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Sir David Beckham is gearing up for his Hollywood Walk of Fame honour – but a dark cloud hangs over his day as he wonders if his son Brooklyn will snub his special event.

The family has been embroiled in a bitter feud, with David and Lady Victoria’s eldest son, Brooklyn, 26, cutting ties with the Beckhams and remaining absent from their recent special events. After swerving his dad’s 50th birthday celebrations and celebrating Christmas and New Year with his wife and her clan, their relationship appears to be all but over after they were all blocked on social media.

Brooklyn and his wife and in-laws have been hosting their 31-year-old wife a birthday party in ballerina style. Brooklyn, who he called his “prima,” has given his full attention to his wife, who is also known as his “prima,” but has essentially disowned his own family. He comes complete with a pink cake with a model ballet dancer on top.

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READ MORE: Beckhams branded ‘huge hypocrites’ in row over Adam Peaty wedding photos

Despite David offering an olive branch on New Year’s Eve by sharing a sweet childhood photo of him and his beloved first-born – Brooklyn is showing no signs of letting up as he continues to dismiss any gesture from his family. Brooklyn even missed his dad being knighted by King Charles last year, giving them every indication that he will not be present for his Hollywood honour, despite living minutes away.

According to a source, “Brooklyn snubbing David’s special day will be a very public humiliation because he lives in Hollywood.” David is undoubtedly optimistic that Brooklyn will have settled in by that time, especially now that he has offered her an olive branch. The rift has caused a lot of heartache.

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Brooklyn had blocked his parents and his brothers, Cruz and Romeo, from his social media accounts in the weeks leading up to Christmas. However, family members of the Beckhams claim David and Victoria will “never give up” any chance of reconciliation. David sent the same message in the New Year message, which one author described as David’s “boldest olive branch yet.”

According to one source, David and Victoria will never give up trying to reconcile with their son. They live in hope, and nothing can change that. They will continue to keep their feelings open and honest with them forever.

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Due to the family’s split, David also put together a montage of events from the previous year that didn’t include Brooklyn. events from 2025. Brooklyn and Nicola, who made sure it was known that 50 Cent was having a blast at a South Florida ultra club, didn’t let that stop them.

For Brooklyn, insiders in his camp point to the fact that there are still “communication lines” between him and his grandparents, on both sides. A source said: “While things between him and his parents are over…..Brooklyn is still very fond of his grandparents.” While blocking his parents and brothers, some point to the fact that Brooklyn still follows his grandparents on Instagram.

The source continued, “There is a lot of love for them, and that has never diminished.” Before that, Brooklyn contacted David’s mother, Sandra. He wrote online last June, “Happy birthday, nanny xx, love you so much.

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Cat Deeley, the talk show host, and her pal, celebrity hair stylist Ben Skervin, spent a few days on the beach in Miami by taking a dip in the ocean.

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Cat Deeley, the host of This Morning, stunned onlookers by removing her white bikini and sunbathing on a Miami beach. The newly single mother, who wed her 12-year-old husband in July 2025, spent her final days with celebrity hairstylist Ben Skervin on the beach.

The mum-of-two didn’t seem to have a care in the world as she took a dip in the ocean under the beaming Floridian sun. Another snap showed her enjoying an icy drink as she sunbathed next to her mate Ben, reading The Land of Sweet Forever by American author Harper Lee.

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READ MORE: This Morning’s Cat Deeley opens show with ‘very special’ announcement

Cat’s pal Ben also shared an Instagram Stories post showing Cat getting stuck into her lines for This Morning on Monday, as she read through her notes on the plane. It comes after Cat, 49, who shares her sons Milo and James with ex Patrick Kielty, shared a post celebrating her “fun” year, following her first Christmas as a divorcee.

Sharing the year’s highlights, Cat confessed that despite her split from husband Patrick Kielty, she’s had ‘a lot of fun’. Cat kicked off the New Year with a post sharing some of her favourite moments of 2025, some of which included a few other famous faces.

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In a joint statement, Cat and Patrick, 54, pledged to “continue to be united as loving parents” for their two sons, but they also announced the end of their 12-year marriage. Cat was unable to attend Patrick’s mother’s funeral, which took place in Northern Ireland in March, raising suspicions of a potential split.

Cat, who was just newly single as she entered 2026, appeared to be grateful for some of the positive experiences she has had over the past year. Her video showed her enjoying summer bike rides, girly nights out, and working on set with her This Morning co-host, Ben Shephard.

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Cat and Ben were seen experimenting with red light therapy masks at one point, and Harry Judd and Danny Jones, who won I’m a Celebrity in 2024, were also present.

In another scene, she was enjoying a glass of rosé with her mother Janet while on vacation, basking in the warm ocean air. She also took the young men to a petting farm to see some piglets while celebrating her son James’ 7th birthday with a Minecraft craft cake.

As well as her children, she shared some experiences with her This Morning family, including Alison Hammond, on stage at the NTAs last summer and another of her with Modern Family star Jesse Tyler. She captioned the post: “A lot of fun, a big bunch of friends and a whole lot more to come in 2026! #happynewyears”.

Before moving back to the UK in 2020, Patrick and Cat previously resided together in the US. Cat recalled them moving after one of their children was ordered to take cover in a shopping mall after an incident in which they were speaking to the Sunday Times in 2024.

According to the outlet, there were rumors of a shooter in the area, but it turned out to be related to a suspicious package. In the interview, Cat claimed she found the experience to be “really frightening.”

They have grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives who they adore dearly, she said. It was like having a special time in history and never getting those memories back. We therefore had always believed that we would bring them back to make sure everyone in the family and friends knew us.

They broke up in 2024, and their joint statement read, “We have made the decision to end our marriage. We are now separated.” No other party is involved, at all.

We will continue to be loving parents to our children, so kindly ask that you respect our family’s privacy. No further comments will be made.

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READ MORE: Traitors star Claudia Winkleman’s eyeshadow stick drops to less than £10 ahead of NYE

With her 29-year-old boyfriend Akeem Morris, four of her six children, including Rocco, 25, and the iconic singer Madonna welcomed 2026 in Marrakech.

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Madonna brought in the New Year surrounded by loved ones, with the family enjoying a raucous night out in Marrakech to celebrate the start of 2026.

The iconic singer, 67, glowed as she was joined by her soccer star boyfriend Akeem Morris, 29, as well as four of her six kids – Rocco, 25, Mercy, 19, and twins Stella and Estere, 13. She adopted her youngest two in 2017, when they were four years old, from an orphanage in Malawi.

Lourdes, Madonna’s eldest daughter, and her ex-boyfriend Carlos Leon, were not present for the celebrations. Even her 20-year-old son David, who was adopted while she was living with her ex-boyfriend Guy Ritchie, did not.

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READ MORE: Madonna baffles fans as she’s spotted eating popcorn watching Chelsea v Liverpool

The family could be seen partying into the night after sitting down for an incredible feast, with live music and sparklers. After their meal, they headed out into the desert to watch a traditional horsemen show. Madonna, who regularly visits Morocco, having spent her 60th birthday there, shared photos of her opulent evening on Instagram.

Madonna wrote: “Habibi, Come Alive… it’s 2026”. She shared images of the entire family sipping a beverage at once. The star looked as young as ever as she held hands with her boyfriend, who is the same age as her oldest daughter, in another post as she wandered the Marrakech souks.

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5 images to be viewed

For the first time in 17 years, Madonna and her ex-boyfriend, Guy Ritchie’s son, Rocco, 25, have reconnected for the first time in 17 years. As the former couple celebrated his Talk Is Cheap exhibition at a studio warehouse in Soho, they were seated either side of their son.

Nearly ten years after their famously content custody battle over him, Rocco stood between his mother and his father as they posed for a photo. He continued, “I don’t blame them, it’s obvious why some people might judge me.”

However, having both of my parents present in one room and supporting me, makes me proud of who I am. The show’s title, “Talk Is Cheap,” is because the work should speak for itself.

From 2000 to 2008, Madonna and TV and film director Guy were married, but their relationship has since become infamously turbulent. They were seen chatting amicably at the art event, but it seems they have decided to put the hatchet in their budding artist son’s hand.

They both arrived with their respective partners, Madonna, 67, and toyboy Akeem Morris, 29, who donned vintage Versace clothing and wore her signature platinum blonde hair and oversized sunglasses. Guy, 55, and his model wife Jacqui, 42, who he married in 2015, attended the Gentleman director’s wedding.

It was revealed back in March 2016 that Madonna had given up custody of Rocco, then 15 – with reports at the time suggesting she had admitted that her son preferred to live with his dad. The bitter custody battle started the December before, when teenager Rocco, who had been with his mother on her world tour, decided to fly home to the UK to be with his dad.

Rocco then ignored the his mother’s pleas – as well as an order from a New York court – to return to her home in the States for Christmas, instead choosing to stay in Britain with Ritchie. New York State Supreme Court Justice Deborah Kaplan said at the time: “No-one is disrupting his household other than the inability of the parents to reach a resolution.

The court will eventually decide this dispute if they can’t resolve it. The dispute was stressing him out, according to Rocco’s court-appointed attorney, Ellen Sigal. She stated in court, “It’s been a very difficult time for him.” We “hope to put an end to this as soon as possible,” he said, “without bringing him up to any litigation, press innuendo, or anything else.”

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On Saturday, January 3, his dearly beloved Broadway star and social media influencer Bret Hanna-Shuford passed away, according to his devastated wife.

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A 46-year-old Broadway performer who appeared in Wicked, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast has sadly passed away from a rare form of cancer.

Bret Hanna-Shuford, who co-founded the social media site Broadway Husbands with his real-life husband, Stephen Hanna, died on January 3. He was a star of the 2013 Martin Scorsese film The Wolf of Wall Street.

His ballet dancer husband Stephen, who Bret shares three-year-old son Maverick with, confirmed the sad news on Instagram saying: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that early this morning we said goodbye to the most amazing man, husband and Papa in the universe. Bret Hanna-Shuford left this world peacefully with love surrounded by his family. Our hearts are broken but we will continue to make him proud of us…”

Last summer, the singer and actor was given a protracted form of cancer. One of the most fatal forms of blood cancer is the T-Cell Lymphoma, which is a rare form of the disease. Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, a rare condition that attacks the body’s immune system, was discovered at the same time.

READ MORE: Nicola Peltz says she’s ‘grateful’ for Brooklyn after he shuts out family

He spent the last few months in and out of hospital. On Christmas Day Bret and Stephen shared a photo wearing matching bobble hats. Bret looked frail with a feeding tube through his nose, but they appeared optimistic.

Merry Christmas to all of you, the post read. We appreciate your kindness and assistance greatly. Looking forward to the beginning of the year and seeing everyone soon. “Sending love” Sadly, Bret lost battle with the illness a few days later.

After hearing the news, friends, fans, and former coworkers quickly expressed their support in the comments. “Oh Stephen, that’s a word. I apologize so much. My memories of Bret and my sweet time will forever be in my Mermaid memories. I want to send you and your family all love.

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Another expressed gratitude for the work he did and the joy he brought to our stages. He will be greatly missed. Another third person expressed surprise at Stephen’s love and isolation. When you need Maverick, this community will surround you. This is so wrong, I’m so sorry.

We are so devastated, a fourth user wrote. shocked . heavy, heavy hearts We’re just trying to send you the ugliest of love, warmth, and light. Today, we reflect on Bret and his incredible spirit, kindness, and generosity.

While a fifth person wrote, “Oh my heart just broke into a million pieces.” You will miss you so much here on earth, Bret. Stephen, I’m praying for you and your sweet son. I’m so sorry for your loss.

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A GoFundMe page was launched last August to help pay for Bret’s medical bills as he was forced to step away from work to have treatment. The page said: “Your donation – no matter the size – will help cover medical bills, household expenses, and the many unexpected costs that come with fighting such a rare illness. Just as importantly, your kindness will give this family the chance to focus on what truly matters: Bret’s healing and Maverick’s bright, joy-filled childhood.” It raised $315,000.

In his most recent social media post from December 17, Bret thanked supporters for their “sweet messages” and claimed doctors had been developing “different and better treatment.” He continued, “It’s a very expensive medicine that insurance has made it difficult for us to get.” And we’re having trouble obtaining second medication approval. And the difficulty of insurance is frustrating.

If you can, please support our posts, because that will be very helpful. Or if you would like to donate to GoFundMe, share our posts, or leave a comment. It really helps. It’s been a really, really, really difficult time. I’m happy to let you know how much I appreciate you and how you have supported me during this difficult time.

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