Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson and her fiancé, musician Zion Foster, have reportedly called off their engagement, choosing to focus on co-parenting their infant twins following a devastating health diagnosis for the babies.
Emotional Split Follows Heartbreaking Diagnosis
The couple, who had been together for four years, revealed earlier this month that their twin daughters, Ocean and Story, have been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 (SMA). This rare genetic condition progressively weakens the body's muscles and is often fatal. News of their separation emerged on Sunday, 18th January 2026, with sources confirming they remain committed to raising their children together.
Just before the split became public, Zion, 26, shared a deeply emotional tribute to Jesy, 34, on Instagram. He praised her as "the definition of a superwoman" for her strength and for campaigning to raise awareness about SMA. "We are all one," he wrote, thanking the SMA community for their support.
A Mother's Brave Campaign for Change
Jesy Nelson has been widely commended for using her platform to highlight a critical gap in UK healthcare. She is urging the NHS to introduce a routine £5 heel prick test for newborns to screen for SMA. Early diagnosis is crucial, as revolutionary treatments now exist that can dramatically alter the disease's progression if administered in time.
In a brave appearance on This Morning, Jesy gave a health update on her daughters, revealing the severe impact of the condition. She shared that baby Story requires a breathing machine at night because she is not strong enough to breathe independently. The singer emotionally admitted she longs to simply be her girls' mum, not their nurse. Notably, she was not wearing her engagement ring during the interview.
Co-Parenting and a Shared Mission
Despite their personal separation, both parents are united in their love for their "two little warriors." Zion recently posted a tear-jerking video poem dedicated to Ocean and Story, directly addressing their prognosis. "They said it's unlikely you'll walk, you may not be able to talk, probably won't be able to hold your head up," he recited, describing the moment they received the SMA Type 1 diagnosis.
He emphasised that his primary worry is not about developmental milestones, but about "accepting and loving them for who they are now, without conditions, no matter what tomorrow brings." The couple's shared focus remains on their children's wellbeing and their campaign for universal newborn SMA screening in the UK, a cause now supported by the Mirror.
