Cat Deeley has described Jesy Nelson as the “strongest and bravest woman” she has ever met following the singer’s devastating This Morning appearance, where she opened up about her twin daughters’ muscular disease diagnosis.
Taking to Instagram after their emotional chat on Wednesday’s episode, the ITV presenter praised the former Little Mix star as an “amazing mama” to her eight-month-old daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, who have been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1).
Sharing the clip on social media, Cat wrote:
“Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting one of the strongest, bravest and wisest women I have ever met. A mother’s love turns fear into fire — @jesynelson you are one amazing Mama 
.”
Jesy quickly replied to thank Cat for her “beautiful kind words” and the ongoing support she has received as she campaigns for newborn SMA screening.
“Oh Cat thank you so much for your beautiful words and support — it means the absolute world to me and to all the families fighting for this change,” she wrote.
Earlier this week, Jesy revealed that after what she described as “the most gruelling three or four months of my life”, her premature twins were diagnosed with the rare genetic neuromuscular condition.
SMA1 causes progressive muscle weakness due to the loss of motor neurons. With early detection and treatment, many children can avoid severe disability — but Jesy heartbreakingly admitted that doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital have since told her her daughters will “probably never be able to walk or regain neck strength”.
Fighting back tears on This Morning, she said:
“The part that frustrates me the most is that I saw all the signs before I even knew what SMA was. I potentially could have saved their legs. I don’t think I’ll ever accept that.”
Jesy and her partner Zion first noticed that Ocean and Story had bowed legs, unusual breathing patterns and reduced movement. Despite multiple visits, health professionals initially reassured them that the twins were simply delayed due to being born premature.
It was Jesy’s mother, Janice, who first voiced serious concerns.
“It’s alarming when health visitors keep saying everything is fine,” Jesy explained. “But my mum said, ‘They’re not moving their legs like they should.’ And slowly… they just stopped moving them.”
During the interview, Jesy shared a video showing one of her daughters’ breathing patterns, admitting it was “heart-breaking” to watch clips of their early weeks and see their mobility fading month by month.
“All I want is to be their mum,” she sobbed. “I don’t want to be their nurse.”
Jesy is now campaigning for SMA screening to be added to the NHS newborn heel-prick test. Her efforts have already gained support from Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who wrote on Instagram:
“Jesy Nelson and parents like her are amazing. I will be picking up the issues she has raised around screening.”
According to the NHS, around 70 babies are born with SMA every year in the UK, and without treatment fewer than one in ten survive past the age of two.
Charity SMA UK has described the lack of routine SMA screening as “shockingly behind”, stressing that early detection is critical. The blood-spot test currently screens for nine conditions — but SMA is not included.
Experts warn that early symptoms such as weak sucking, reduced limb movement, poor head control, shallow breathing and frequent chest infections are often missed, especially in premature babies.
Specialists insist that any concerns about feeding or muscle weakness must be urgently assessed — because when it comes to SMA, time is everything.
Jesy remains determined to fight for change, confirming she has submitted a petition to Parliament and is “ready to do whatever it takes” to protect future families from the pain she is now living.
