Jesy Nelson has pulled out of a six-figure deal to appear on ITV reality series I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! to care for her twin daughters.
The 35-year-old former Little Mix singer made the decision with a heavy heart as her daughters Ocean and Story continue their battle with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1.
Reports have claimed there was no way the pop star would leave her young children behind to travel to the Australian jungle. Nelson had reportedly been eager to take part in the programme because it offered an invaluable platform to raise awareness and continue her campaigning for SMA.
A source told The Sun: "It's with a very heavy heart she has pulled out. Ocean and Story are unwell and there is no way Jesy would leave them. Her family are her priority."
Television bosses at ITV have backed her decision completely. The insider added: "ITV have been amazing and are supporting her all the way. The door will always be left open for Jesy."
Representatives for Nelson and ITV have been approached for comment.
The long-running reality competition sees celebrity campmates spend weeks living in outdoor conditions in Australia while taking on daily trials. Nelson was regarded as one of the channel's headline signings for the upcoming series after agreeing to terms on a major six-figure contract.
Spinal muscular atrophy diagnosis
The Boyz hitmaker announced in January that her twin daughters, whom she shares with her former fiancé Zion Foster, had been diagnosed with SMA type 1.
Spinal muscular atrophy type 1 is a rare and severe genetic condition that affects the nerves in the spinal cord controlling muscle movement. It leads to progressive muscle weakness and causes significant difficulties with basic motor functions, swallowing, and breathing. The disease typically appears during the first six months of an infant's life and requires intensive, ongoing medical care.
Since sharing her daughters' health battle, Nelson has been widely praised by health advocates for her public work. Her campaigning helped persuade the government to announce a national rollout to screen newborns for the condition across the UK.
Newborn screening through a simple heel-prick blood test allows healthcare professionals to detect genetic mutations associated with SMA before irreversible nerve loss occurs, giving babies timely access to life-changing therapies.
National Television Awards appearance
Last month, Nelson unveiled her new relationship to the showbiz world by attending the National Television Awards with her boyfriend Ben Davies.
The singer had walked the red carpet solo earlier that evening, but television cameras showed a quick flash of Davies sitting beside her inside the venue during the ceremony.
Davies was seen looking at her proudly when her documentary, Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix, was shortlisted for an NTA in the Authored Documentary category. The award on the night went to Our Girls: The Southport Families.
Nelson confirmed her romance with Davies at the end of August by posting their first public picture together on her Instagram account.
The singer began dating Davies following her split from Foster. In the image shared on social media, Davies was dressed in all black with his tattooed arms on display as he drove a Range Rover, holding Nelson's outstretched hand.
Split from Zion Foster
Foster has also moved on into a new relationship following their split. Nelson spoke openly about the end of their relationship in her Amazon Prime documentary, explaining how the emotional weight of their daughters' medical diagnosis affected their bond as a couple.
Speaking in the film, Nelson said: "It's a very traumatic thing that we've both been through. I think it's quite inevitable for things like this to happen to couples I don't think it's a shock that we've broken up..."
She added: "You'll either be a team or it'll tear you apart and unfortunately I feel that's what it's done to me and Zion. We still get on, there's not bad feeling. My main priority is them. I just want to be the best mum with the best energy and positivity possible..."
Nelson first rose to public prominence in 2011 after winning The X Factor as part of Little Mix, which went on to become one of the most successful British girl groups in history. She departed the band in December 2020 before launching her solo recording career with the single Boyz the following year.
