Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has shared her delight after her 14-month-old twin daughters, Ocean and Story, had their feeding tubes removed. In September 2025, Nelson announced that the twins, whom she shares with her ex Zion Foster, were diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1.
The singer previously admitted she was terrified for her daughters to undergo surgery to remove the tubes. However, she could not hide her joy on Friday as she told fans she has got their faces back.
In a video shared to her Instagram story, the former Little Mix star showed the girls in their hospital beds prior to the procedure. She called them the bravest girls in all of the world.
Hours later, Nelson uploaded images of the twins sleeping with their faces free from the tubes, adding that it feels like a dream to see.
Nasogastric tubes serve as a short term feeding solution when muscle weakness makes swallowing unsafe or prevents children from eating enough food to grow. Nelson also posted a photo of a hair clip bearing the words good things are coming as she focused on the positive during her daughters' health battle.
Preparing for Surgery
Earlier this week, Nelson posted a picture of the babies alongside a message marking their final day with nasogastric tubes. She wrote: "Today is the last day of my baby girls having [their] ng tubes on their faces... As terrified as I am about them having [their] operation tomorrow, I cannot wait to finally see their faces again and see their little dimples that are always under these plasters..."
She added: "I've honestly forgotten what it feels like to cuddle them and not worry about puling their turbe out [their] nose or plasters [off] their face. It really is the littlest things we take for grranted as parents."
Screening Campaign Success
Last month, Nelson revealed her joy when announcing that the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 screening test will be rolled out across the entire United Kingdom following her relentless campaigning.
Sharing the news exclusively with the Daily Mail, Nelson said she was so proud of everyone involved in the effort, adding that this is all I ever wanted.
She explained: "OK, so yesterday I had a phone call with Sharon [Hodgson], the health minister, and James Murray [Secretary of State for Health and Social Care] and they have decided to roll it out across the whole of the UK."
She continued: "It's an emotional day. I'm still taking it in to be honest. It’s amazing. It's just mind-blowing. I feel so proud. I just feel so proud of everyone that's been a part of getting it to this place because now future SMA baby’s lives are gonna look completely different. And that is all I ever wanted."
Nelson added: "It will never not be heartbreaking to hear that your child has SMA, but to know that their life will not have to look like this is just amazing."
In June, Nelson attended Parliament for a debate on whether newborn screening for the disease would be rolled out across all of England. The debate initially yielded a disappointing result for Nelson and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy community, as officials maintained that only 72 per cent of the country would receive access when screening launches in October, leaving 28 per cent without testing.
However, the Government has now confirmed the expansion of the scheme, which will ensure hundreds of thousands of babies are screened starting in October this year.
Understanding Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a condition that weakens physical strength by affecting motor neuron cells in the spinal cord. The disease causes gradual muscle wasting, with symptoms varying in severity depending on the specific type.
Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the most severe form and is evident at birth. Muscle weakness prevents sufferers from sitting upright and typically leads to death by five years of age.
Type 2 is an intermediate form that leaves individuals unable to stand. Type 3 is a mild form that makes rising from a seated position difficult. Symptoms of Type 4 do not appear until patients reach their 20s or 30s.
The disease can leave infants unable to sit up, crawl or walk. In severe cases, it prevents them from breathing or swallowing. When identified early enough, treatment significantly improves health outcomes for affected children. Screening is performed using a simple heel prick to collect a small blood sample shortly after birth.
