“IT WAS MY FAULT,” Madeleine McCann’s brother says in tears as he reveals ha:unting moments from the day she disappeared — the secret hidden for 18 years has finally been EXP0SED

Gerry and Kate McCann marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance by remembering her as a ‘very beautiful and unique person’ ahead of what would be her 22nd birthday (Picture: AFP via Getty)

Madeleine McCann’s parents vow to ‘leave no stone unturned’ is ‘unwavering’ as new searches for the missing toddler began this week.

She was three when she vanished while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. Her parents, Kate and Gerry, marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance last month.

There has been no positive sighting of her since, with the trail remaining as cold now as it was nearly two decades ago.

New searches have begun in Praia da Luz and a 26-mile stretch of scrubland between the resort and the Foral where German suspect Christian Brueckner lived in 2003.

The new searches for Madeleine, who would have celebrated her 22nd birthday last month, were requested by German police.

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They face a race against time to charge Brueckner before he is released from prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005.

Madeleine McCann (centre) with twins Sean and Amelie (Picture: BBC)
In their most tribute to Madeleine, who would also be turning 22 this month, Kate and Gerry McCann said: ‘No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day.

‘We continue to “celebrate” her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her.’

But Madeleine isn’t Kate and Gerry’s only child – she also has twin younger siblings, Amelie and Sean, who were born in 2005.

What are Madeleine McCann’s twin siblings doing now?

A family friend said of twins Amelie and Sean: ‘They’ve always been in Madeleine’s shadow, and just been the McCann twins.

‘But now they are young adults, they are carving out their own lives.’

Amelie McCann pictured two years ago at a vigil for her sister (Picture: Terry-Harris.com/SplashNews.com)
Today, both are studying at different universities.

Amelie, who studies at Durham University is described as popular and outgoing and has competed in triathlons in the past.

Speaking for the first time about her sister’s disappearance at a vigil two years ago, she commented: ‘It’s nice that everyone is here together, but it’s a sad occasion.’

Meanwhile, Sean studies chemical engineering at the University of Loughborough and is a champion freestyle swimmer

He’s been tipped to represent Scotland at next year’s Commonwealth Games – and could even compete for Team GB at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Previously, Sean represented Scotland at the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games, taking part in the 400 and 1500m Freestyle finals, and is part of the country’s National Open Water Development Squad for open water swimming.

Sean McCann competing in the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2023 (Picture: Jamie Squire/Getty Images for Commonwealth Sport)
Sean explained how he first started swimming competitively in a post on a local website after winning a grant to fund his training.

He said: ‘At the age of 10, I was selected to swim at City of Leicester, and I have since gone on to win multiple county titles, as well as becoming regional and national champion in my age group.

‘In order to have achieved this, I have had to remain extremely dedicated, getting up at 4am multiple mornings each week to train.’

Their parents have said the twins are grateful to be able to ‘live a relatively normal and enjoyable life now’, despite the continued heartbreak over their missing big sister.

More recently, Kate said: ‘They have their own friends and they keep busy and they’re really sporty but their only wish is for their big sister to come home.’

Who are Madeleine McCann’s parents?

Kate and Gerry McCann have never stopped searching for their daughter (Picture: PA)
Kate had been a GP but left her job when Maddie vanished. She returned to the healthcare sector during the pandemic.

She now works with people with dementia and is an ambassador for the charity Missing People.

In their recent statement, the couple thanked the charity and other organisations ‘who remain committed, despite many challenges and limited resources, to finding and bringing home the many missing and abducted children’.

Gerry McCann is a research lead and professor of cardiac imaging at the University of Leicester, whose ‘life-changing work’ has been praised by colleagues.

They still live in the same redbrick detached house in Rothley, Leicestershire, where they resided when the toddler disappeared.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, family friend Michelle Canilleri said: ‘I have seen this family’s grief from the very beginning to now.
Family games
‘Our hearts go out to them, and the village as a whole hopes they get the answers they so desperately need.’

Madeleine McCann was three when she vanished while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007 (Picture: PA)
But as well as deep sympathy, the couple have also been on the receiving end of personal attacks and further anguish.

Two women are accused of stalking the McCann family, including turning up at their home.

Polish national Julia Wandel is due to stand trial in October this year accused of causing serious alarm or distress to the family between June 2022 and February 2025.

Wandel made global headlines in 2023 after claiming to be Madeleine and has continued to speak out on social media despite those claims being rubbished by a DNA test.

She is said to have made calls, left voicemails, and sent a letter and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry, as well as sending their other children, Sean and Amelie, Instagram messages.

Karen Spragg has also denied stalking, allegedly by making calls, sending letters and attending the McCann’s home.

Timeline of events since Madeleine’s disappearance

May 3, 2007: Kate and Gerry McCann leave their children asleep in their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while they dine with friends. They check on their children three times throughout the night, and, at 10pm, they find her missing
May 14, 2007: Police take property developer Robert Murat in for questioning and make him a formal suspect – this is later withdrawn.
August 11, 2007: 100 days after her disappearance, detectives acknowledge that she could be dead.
September 7, 2007: Maddie’s parents become formal suspects in their daughter’s disappearance.
September 9, 2007: The McCanns return to England with their two-year-old twins.

July 21, 2008: Portuguese authorities shelve the investigation and remove the McCanns and Murat as suspects.

May 12, 2011: Kate McCann publishes a book about her daughter’s disappearance on her eighth birthday

April 25, 2012: Scotland Yard detectives say they believe Madeleine could still be alive and release a picture of how she may look as a nine-year-old. They ask Portuguese police to reopen the case, but they say they have found no new information.

July 4, 2013: Scotland Yard confirms it has launched its own investigation and says it has identified 38 people of interest, including 12 Britons.
October 24, 2013: Portuguese police decide to reopen the case

January 29, 2014: British detectives fly out to Portugal
June 3, 2024: Sniffer dogs and specialist teams are used to search an area of scrubland close to where Madeleine went missing.
December 12, 2024: Detectives begin questioning 11 people who it is thought may have information on the case.

September 16, 2014: The Government states that the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance has so far cost £10 million
October 28, 2014: Scotland Yard cuts the number of officers working on the inquiry from 29 to four.

April 30, 2017: The McCanns mark 10 years since her disappearance with a BBC interview.

May 3, 2019: Local media reports say Portuguese detectives are investigating a foreign paedophile as a suspect in the abduction of Madeleine.

June 3, 2020: Police reveal that a 43-year-old German prisoner, later named as Christian Brueckner, has been identified as a suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance.

Italian police released a picture of Brueckner in 2020 when he was arrested over drug offences (Picture: AFP/Getty)
April 21, 2022: Christian Brueckner is made a formal suspect by Portuguese authorities.
October 11, 2022: Brueckner is charged with three counts of rape and two charges of child sex abuse, unrelated to Madeleine’s disappearance.

May 3, 2023: Kate and Gerry McCann mark the 16th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance by saying she is “still very much missed” and that they ‘await a breakthrough’.
May 22, 2023: An area near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz, is sealed off as police prepare to start searching on May 23.
May 23, 2023: Searches begin with police divers in the water and officers with sniffer dogs and rakes seen on the banks.
June 23, 2023: A man named Helge B claimed to the German newspaper Bild that Brueckner almost confessed to killing Maddie, allegedly telling him ‘she didn’t scream’ when the pair talked about the case at a music festival

July 11, 2023: The German prosecutor involved with the case warns not to ‘expect too much’ from the search.
February 16, 2024: Brueckner’s trial starts over three counts of alleged rape and sexual abuse of two children not connected to the Madeleine investigation
October 8, 2024: He is acquitted of all the allegations due to ‘insufficient’ evidence. An appeal over the acquittal is launched, which is still ongoing
March 27, 2025: A 60-year-old woman is charged with stalking the McCann family
May 3, 2025: Maddie’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann mark the 18th anniversary of her disappearance with a heartbreaking message
September 17, 2025: This is the date Brueckner could be released from prison if no further charges are brought

In April, ministers approved more than £100,000 in additional funding for Scotland Yard detectives investigating their older sister’s disappearance.

Washington freezes out Starmer after Trump’s Venezuela strike. A senior Thatcher-era insider has revealed that the U.S. no longer trusts the British Prime Minister on matters of war and security following America’s shock military operation. The strike, hailed in Washington as a historic show of U.S. power, has brutally exposed Starmer’s weakness on the world stage. Insiders say the White House wouldn’t share military decisions with him, marking a dramatic rupture in the so-called “special relationship.” As global tensions rise, one question now dominates: has Britain been sidelined by its closest ally under Starmer’s leadership? See details in the first comment

“‘Keir Starmer is seen as WEAK in Washington!’ | Former aide to Margaret Thatcher criticizes Starmer”

Trump’s recent military operation against Venezuela has sent shockwaves through international relations, showcasing U.S. prowess while simultaneously revealing a significant trust deficit with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Former Thatcher aide Nile Gardner emphasized Starmer’s perceived weakness in Washington, raising questions about the future of U.S.-U.K. cooperation.

During a heated discussion on “Saturday Night Five,” Gardner characterized the U.S. strikes as a monumental display of American military might, eclipsing previous operations like the raid on Osama bin Laden. He described the operation as a successful demonstration of American exceptionalism, asserting that it solidifies the U.S. position as the world’s undisputed leader.

Gardner noted that the downfall of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro is a severe blow to both China and Russia, who have long supported his regime. He argued that this military action sends a clear message to rogue states that defying U.S. power comes with dire consequences, leaving them to reconsider their regional ambitions.

The former aide to Margaret Thatcher did not hold back in critiquing Starmer’s leadership, stating that the U.S. administration would not trust him with military decisions. He described Starmer as a “very weak and disastrous” prime minister, reflecting a stark contrast to the historical collaboration between U.S. presidents and British leaders like Thatcher.

As the conversation shifted to the implications of U.S. actions in Venezuela, Gardner emphasized that the operation aims to stabilize the region while dismantling Maduro’s narco-state. He argued that the U.S. military is now more capable than during the Cold War, positioning it to handle complex operations with precision and effectiveness.

The discussion also touched on domestic reactions to the military action. Gardner predicted that the American public would largely support Trump’s decision, particularly given the operation’s success and the absence of U.S. casualties. He highlighted the emotional weight of American lives lost due to 𝒹𝓇𝓊𝑔 trafficking from Venezuela, framing the strikes as a necessary measure for national security.

In conclusion, as the geopolitical landscape shifts dramatically, the future of U.S.-U.K. relations hangs in the balance. With Starmer’s reputation in tatters among American policymakers, the question remains: can he regain the trust necessary to navigate this turbulent international climate? The coming days will reveal whether this operation marks a turning point in global diplomacy or merely a flashpoint in ongoing tensions.

Joanna Lumley Shares Heartfelt Health Update After Surgery

Joaппa Lυmley Shares Emotioпal Health Update After Stroke: “I’m Fightiпg — Bυt I Caп’t Do It Aloпe”

After weeks of anxious silence and growing concern among admirers around the world, Joanna Lumley has shared a deeply moving update on her health following a serious medical emergency that doctors have classified as critical.

The beloved British actress, writer, and humanitarian confirmed that she recently underwent surgery and is now beginning a long and arduous recovery process.

While she has chosen to keep many medical details private, her words carried a quiet bravery that resonated instantly with fans:

“I still have a long road ahead,” Lumley wrote. “But I believe in healing — through love, through family, and through the kindness and prayers from all of you.”

A Sudden Health Crisis

According to sources close to the family, Lumley’s stroke came unexpectedly, prompting immediate medical intervention and a period of strict analysis.

Family says the situation was serious enough to require urgent surgery, followed by close monitoring and rest.

Her seriousness soon worldwide for her elegance, tireless activism, and seemingly boundless energy, the news was both shocking and sobering.

Yet those closest to her say Lumley faced the crisis with the same quiet courage that has defined her character for decades.

“She’s never been someone who dramatizes pain,” said one longtime friend. “But this was frightening. It forced her to dig deep — something Joanna rarely does.”

“I’m Fighting — But I Can’t Do It Alone”

In her most powerful statement, Lumley acknowledged both her determination and her vulnerability.

“I’m fighting,” she shared. “But I can’t do it alone.”

The words struck a chord across social media, where thousands of messages poured in within hours.

Followers, public figures, and fans from multiple generations expressed gratitude for her honesty — and admiration for her strength.

Medical experts said that recovery from a stroke is rarely linear.

Fatigue, emotional strain, and physical rehabilitation often accompany the healing process.

Lumley herself alluded to this reality, emphasizing patience and self-compassion as her fight goes through.

Surrounded by Family and Love

Friends describe Lumley as being surrounded by close family members and a small, trusted circle of lifelong companions.

The atmosphere, they say, is calm, supportive, and deeply loving — exactly what doctors recommend during early recovery.

“She draws enormous strength from the people around her,” another source explained. “She hates fuss. She rests. And she allows herself to be cared for.”

That shift, subtle yet profound, marks a new chapter for a woman long celebrated for her independence and resilience.

A Life That Touched Millions

For decades, Joanna Lumley has been far more than a screen icon.

From unforgettable performances to tireless humanitarian work, she has consistently used her voice to advocate for others — refugees, veterans, environmental causes, and marginalized communities.

Now, supporters say, the world has an opportunity to give something back.

“She has spent her life comforting others,” one admirer wrote online. “Let her rest. She’s earned it.”

Hope, Not Headlines

Those close to Lumley stress that this update is not about spectacle or sympathy, but connection.

There is no timetable for her return to public life, and no pressure for appearances or performances.

Recovery, they emphasize, is the priority.

In her own words, Lumley once described the meaning of something simple — and deeply human:

“Sometimes, what matters most on the road to healing is knowing you’re not alone.”

As messages of love continue to arrive from every corner of the globe, that truth feels unmistakably clear.

Joanna Lumley is not walking this road by herself — and she never has.

Inside Neil Jones’ difficult few months – family ‘racism’ row; snubbed from Strictly 2025 and secret heartache

trictly’s is beloved by many – but the pro dancer has had an incredibly tough 12 months.

Since shooting to fame on the BBC show in 2016, Neil has become a firm favourite with fans.

However, 2025 hasn’t exactly been plain sailing for Neil – who is on Escape To The Country today (January 4). Here, ED! is taking a look at his difficult past few months.

Neil’s partner Chyna hit out at her mother-in-law (Credit: IPA / SplashNews.com)

Neil Jones and Chyna Mills family ‘racism’ row

27-year-old Chyna and 43-year-old Neil have been together since August 2022. They welcomed their daughter, Havana, in late 2023. And, recently they revealed they had held a baptism for her, with Neil’s family appearing to be absent.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Chyna alleged to her followers that “enough was enough” and she needed to speak out about what she claims has been happening.

She claimed: “It’s heartbreaking when people try to ruin the most beautiful moments in my daughter’s life. I have faced bullying, racism and constant disrespect from a so-called MIL [mother-in-law] since the moment I met her.”

Chyna went on to allege that certain family members chose not to attend her daughter’s baptism due to the ongoing issues.

The dancer’s sister Terri Peters later spoke to the Mail and alleged that Chyna is lying about the situation with Neil’s mother, Helen. In a pretty cryptic comment, she said: “I don’t want to comment at this time. If she wants to spin lies, then look, the truth will come out eventually.”

He didn’t have a partner this year (Credit: BBC)

Neil snubbed from 2025 Strictly series

Dancer Neil joined the glitzy series back 2016. And over the years, he’s been partnered with the likes of Alex Scott and Toyah Wilcox.

This year, though, Neil failed to land a partner on the latest series – much to fans’ heartbreak. What’s more, Neil himself poked fun at the BBC’s decision to bench him in a cheeky Instagram video shared in September.

He is seen attempting to throw a pen into a cup in the clip, captioned: “If I get the pen in the cup I will get a celeb partner this year.” He then throws the pen in the complete opposite direction of the cup.

Better luck next year, Neil.

Neil’s father died also this year (Credit: BBC)

Neil’s secret family heartache

In November, Neil shared the devastating news that his dad, David, died. Sharing a series of black-and-white photos of his lookalike father, Neil told fans: “Yesterday I said goodbye to my dad for the final time.

“I thought I knew my dad but yesterday I realised I didn’t after hearing so many lovely and funny stories from family and his closest friends, I know he would be smiling looking down with a pint in his hand,” he continued.

“Thank you Wendy and everyone for making it such a special day. RIP DAD.”

Here’s to a much happier new year, Neil.

Watch Neil on Escape To The Country on Sunday (January 4) at 7:00pm on BBC One.

Ben Cohen’s heartbreak after father attacked by gang in nightclub that led to his death

en Cohen previously opened up about the tragic death of his father after he was attacked over 20 years ago.

The rugby star was left heartbroken in 2000 when his dad Peter, was beaten up at a nightclub after trying to break up a brawl. Peter was hospitalised but sadly died just four weeks later from a blood clot.

And over years later, Ben – who is on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins today (January 4) – spoke about the tragedy, revealing he has been left scarred by it.

Ben’s father died over 20 years ago (Credit: The Good The Bad and the Rugby / YouTube)

Ben Cohen on dad’s brutal attack that led to death

In 2023, Ben appeared on ITV’s two-part series Grand Slammers, here he reflected on his father’s attack and later death. At the time, his dad was at the Eternity nightclub in Northampton in 2000 when he tried to break up a fight.

Peter ended up getting attacked and suffered serious head injuries. As a result, he was rushed to the hospital but died four weeks later from a blood clot.

On the ITV show Strictly star Ben was seen looking at photos of the attackers – who have since been freed. Ben said: “These guys started a fight, my dad tried to stop it and they beat him to an inch of his life.”

Ben was left devastated (Credit: ITV)

‘I hope it haunts them for the rest of their life’

Ben added: “I got called in to go to hospital, and then, pretty much the last conversation I had with my dad. He died a month later of his injuries.”

Sharing his frustration over their sentencing, Ben added: “They got done for violent disorder in the end. They got three years, I think and they were out in 18 months.

“Was it a long enough sentence? No. Of course not. I hope it haunts them for the rest of their life because it has me.”

Ben also spoke about how his father would be encouraging him to move on from his death. He shared: “All of this kind of stuff going through my head, you can let it chew you up, you can let it spit you out.

“I know one thing that my dad would want me to do, is keep looking forward. ‘Don’t keep looking back, son.’”

Watch Ben on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins on Sunday (January 4) on Channel 4.

Heartbreaking:Jesy Nelson breaks down in tears on This Morning as she shares heartbreaking update on twin daughters’ muscle disease – admitting she’ll ‘NEVER get over it’ as she shares the most difficult aspect of devastating diagnosis

Jesy Nelson broke down in tears on This Morning as she shared a heartbreaking update on her twin daughters’ muscle disease in her first TV interview since their devastating diagnosis.

On Sunday the former Little Mix star, 34, explained that after ‘the most gruelling three or four months’ her daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, who she shares with fiancé Zion Foster, have been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA1).

‘Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic condition that can cause muscle weakness. It gets worse over time, but there are medicines and other treatments to help manage the symptoms,’ according to the NHS website.

Jesy appeared on the latest instalment of the ITV show to talk about her daughters’ health with presenters Cat Deeley, 49, and Ben Shephard, 51.

The singer admitted that her home now ‘looks like a hospital’ after learning how to look after her twins and cater to their complex needs as she shared the most difficult aspects of the diagnosis.

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The star struggled to hold back her tears as she opened up about the diagnosis process

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On Sunday the former Little Mixstar, 34, explained that after ‘the most gruelling three or four months’ her daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, who she shares with fiancé Zion Foster, have been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA1)

Match Of The Day host Gabby Logan leaves show early due to emergency

3.8k viewing now

Getting very emotional about her girls, Jesy said: ‘We’ve been told that they will probably never walk, they’ll probably never regain their neck strength. They are gonna be in wheelchairs.

‘There’s been so many stories where parents have been told this and then their children have gone on to do incredible things, so I believe that you’ve just got to manifest that.

‘They are still smiling, they’re still happy. They have each other, and that’s like the main thing that I’m like so grateful for because they could be doing this by themselves, but they’re twins and they’re going through this together.

‘My whole life has just completely changed. If you came to my house, it looks like a hospital.

‘My whole hallway is filled up with medical stuff and it’s just crazy how you can go from one extreme to the next.

‘Story has to be on a breathing machine at night because she isn’t strong enough to breathe by herself at night, they have to have cough assists machines to help them cough, I have to put feeding tubes down their nose to like get out secretions off their chest.

‘I’ve had to learn this within the space of a few days of getting their diagnosis, and it’s just so much to deal with while you’re also trying to deal with this like horrendous thing that’s just happened and still be a mum as well.

‘That’s the part that I really, I’m still struggling with it, I won’t lie, but that is the part that like really gets me, is I just want to be their mum, I don’t want to be a nurse.

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Jesy Nelson held back her emotions on This Morning as she shared a heartbreaking update on her twin daughters’ muscle disease in her first TV interview since their devastating diagnosis

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Cat reached out to support Jesy as she became overwhelmed during the interview

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The singer admitted that her home now ‘looks like a hospital’ after learning how to look after her twins and cater to their complex needs as she shared the most difficult aspects of the diagnosis

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Heaping praise on her mum for spotting the signs, Jesy said she initials brushed off concerns from her mother being ‘a worrier’

‘All I can do is just try my best to be there for them. Give them positive energy.’

Looking back over the signs that the two girls had been battling the condition before their diagnosis, she added: ‘I actually knew and saw all of the signs before I even know knew what SMA was.

‘But when I left the NICU, it was hammered home to me, “Don’t compare your baby, they’re not going to reach the same milestones, take them as they are” because they were premature.

‘When I took them home from NICU, the only thing I was really concerned about at that time was like checking their temperature, making sure they’re still breathing. I’m not checking to see if their legs are still moving…

‘And that’s what’s frustrating knowing that for me, if this was the cards I was always going to get dealt and there was nothing I could do about it, then it’s almost easier for me to accept.’

Heaping praise on her mum for spotting the signs that eventually prompted her to take further action, she said: ‘It took for my mum to be like, “They don’t move their legs how they should be moving”.

‘Bless my mum, she’s a worrier, and I just thought my mum was being a worrier – but I noticed they were moving [their legs] less and less and less, until it just stops.

‘That is why it’s so important and vital to get treatment from birth and that it’s detected from birth.’

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Looking back over the signs that the two girls had been battling the condition before their diagnosis, Jesy explained how vital it is parents get an early diagnosis

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Jess wants to spread awareness about the condition so that other parents will know the symptoms to look out for

Opening up on her decision to share her story with the world, Jesy continued: ‘I wanted it to get as much reach as possible to raise awareness about it, it’s what I wanted to do.

‘If I’d seen someone else’s video, maybe, just maybe I could have prevented this from happening if I’d have seen a video and caught it early enough.

‘Yes, I could have dealt with it privately, but at the same time I’m like, I have this platform and I almost feel like I’ve got a duty of care to like raise awareness about it.

‘I don’t know if this is even crazy to say this, like it feels selfish to keep this to myself and not potentially save a child’s life. I’m going to shout to the rooftops about this.

‘I could have saved their legs… I don’t think I’m ever going to get over this or accept it, but I’m going to try my best to make change.’

On Tuesday Jesy shared an update with fans and revealed she is fighting for SMA1 screening at birth after her twin daughters could have avoided severe muscular disease with early treatment.

The genetic neuromuscular disease causes progressive muscle weakness and wasting due to motor neuron loss.

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Jesy Nelson has revealed she is fighting for SMA1 screening at birth after her twin daughters could have avoided severe muscular disease with early treatment

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The singer, 34, explained on Sunday that her eight-month-old daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe have been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Jesy was tearful as she explained that the condition ‘affects every muscle in the body down to legs, arms, breathing and swallowing’, adding that ‘essentially what it does over time is it kills the muscles in the body’.

Now, the singer has shares an update from hospital as she revealed that she has put a petition in to try and get newborn babies screened from birth for SMA and is ‘determined and ready to fight’ to see it approved.

If SMA1 is treated pre-symptomatically (at or near birth), the disease can be largely prevented, and many children develop with minimal or no symptoms.

Opening up in a new Instagram video filmed in a hospital, Jesy said: ‘Hey guys I just wanted to come on here to basically say thank you genuinely so much from the bottom of my heart for the outpour of support and beautiful messages for me and other families dealing with this horrible diagnosis.

‘I am genuinely so overwhelmed from the level of support and I just want to say thank you for sharing, learning about it, took the time to watch it and send their beautiful messages, thank you I appreciate it so much.

‘I also wanted to let you guys know, I am starting a petition to try and get the newborn screening heel prick testing from birth and I just need you to know that I am so determined to make this happen and I am going to fight as much as I can to make this part of the newborn screening.

‘It’s currently under review so I will keep you updated and also I will be on This Morning tomorrow talking about my baby girls. I love you all so much and I can’t thank you enough for the support. We have along way to go but I love you so much.’

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Cat heaped praise on Jesy for being an ‘incredible and loving mum’

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The singer has shared an update from hospital as she revealed that she started a petition to try and get newborn babies screened from birth for SMA and is ‘determined’ to see it approved

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If SMA1 is treated pre-symptomatically (at or near birth), the disease can be largely prevented, and many children develop with minimal or no symptoms

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After thanking fans for their support Jesy said: ‘I wanted to let you guys know, I am starting a petition to try and get the newborn screening heel prick testing from birth’

On Sunday, Jesy said that doctors initially dismissed her fears about her baby twins not hitting milestones because they were born prematurely.

In her emotional video posted to Instagram she explained that her mum had first noticed that the twins’ legs weren’t as mobile as maybe they should be.

Jesy then took them to the doctors to get things looked at and routine health visitors had also checked them over.

She explained: ‘A few months ago my mum noticed that the girls were not showing as much movement in their legs as they should be.

‘It wasn’t really a concern to me at the time because from the minute I left NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), I was told “Your babies are premature, so do not compare your babies to other babies. They won’t reach the same milestones, take them as they are and they will get where they need to be when they do”.’

Health visitors also offered reassurance when Jesy and her partner Zion also grew concerned about their feeding.

However, they were told the babies were ‘great and healthy’ and there wasn’t anything to worry about.

After later undergoing further tests, they were given the SMA Type 1 diagnosis.

Choking back tears the singer said in her video: ‘If it’s not treated in time your baby’s life expectancy will not make it past the age of two.’

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‘I just need you to know that I am so determined to make this happen and I am going to fight as much as I can to make this part of the newborn screening’

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She added: ‘It’s currently under review so I will keep you updated and also I will be on This Morning tomorrow talking about my baby girls’

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a disease that weakens a patient’s strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord.

It results in gradual muscle wasting and the severity of symptoms varies by type

Type 1 SMA is the most severe and is evident at birth. The weakening of muscles means sufferers cannot sit and usually leads to death by the age of five

Type 2  is intermediate with the sufferer being unable to stand

Type 3 is mild and makes it difficult to get up from a sitting position, while

Type 4 sufferers don’t have symptoms until they are in their 20s or 30s

She went on to explain that Great Ormond Street have advised that the girls ‘are probably never going to be able to walk or regain their neck strength so they will be disabled’.

She added: ‘The best thing we can do right now is get them treatment and hope for the best.’

Jesy welcomed her twin daughters with partner Zion on May 15, 2025.

She spent much of her difficult pregnancy in hospital before the girls were delivered at 31 weeks which was followed by a stay in the NICU.

‘After the most gruelling three, four months and endless appointments the girls have now been diagnosed with a severe muscular disease – SMA Type 1,’ she explained in her video.

‘Once the girls got treated, it was a very rapid process because time is of the essence with this disease’ Jesy said of the twins’ treatment plan from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, adding that there is no cure for SMA.

She said the girls have had their treatment over the past few weeks which ‘I am so grateful for because without it they will die.’

‘It has just been endless hospital appointments, I feel like the hospital has become my second home and I feel like I have had to become a nurse because I have to put them on breathing machines and do stuff that no mother should have to do with their child.’

Jesy broke down as she admitted: ‘The last few months have been the most heartbreaking time of my life. I literally feel like my whole life has done a 360. I almost feel like I am grieving a life I thought I was going to have with my children.

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On Sunday, Jesy broke down in tears as she said that doctors initially dismissed her fears about her baby twins not hitting milestones because they were born prematurely

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Jesy announced she was expecting twins with her boyfriend Zion back in January 2025 after rumours they had split. They got engaged later that year

‘I truly believe my girls will defy all the odds with the right help and do things that have never been done.’

She ended her video by explaining she wanted to make the post to help others and raise awareness of early diagnosis in children and the signs to look for which include floppiness in babies, bell-shaped bellies and rapid breathing.

She also stressed the need for a heel prick test at birth ‘which can literally save their legs, and so many parts of their body.’

Ocean Jade and Story Monroe were born at just 31 weeks old, after Jesy was diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) – a rare condition that can put one or both babies at risk.

Before being released from hospital the twins had been receiving treatment in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Jesy recently opened up about their premature births, telling fans: ‘Nothing or no one will ever be able to prepare you as a parent for NICU.

In March 2025 during her pregnancy, Jesy had to undergo an emergency procedure after suffering complications and was advised to remain in hospital until she was at least 32 weeks into her pregnancy.

Throughout the ordeal, her partner Zion admitted he and Jesy, who was seven months pregnant at the time of her procedure, had ‘grown to understand each other on a deeper level’.

Jesy announced she was expecting twins with her boyfriend Zion back in January 2025 after rumours they had split.

Jesy Nelson Breaks Down in Tears as She Reveals the HORRIFIC Mistakes That Could Have CHANGED Her Twins’ Devastating Diagnosis: “I Could Have Saved Them”

Jesy Nelson Breaks Down in Tears as She Reveals the HORRIFIC Mistakes That Could Have CHANGED Her Twins’ Devastating Diagnosis: “I Could Have Saved Them”

Jesy Nelson broke down in tears on This Morning as she opened up about the devastating diagnosis that has changed her life forever – revealing she believes missed warning signs may have robbed her twin daughters of the chance to walk.

The former Little Mix star appeared visibly emotional as she spoke to presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, admitting she had never even heard of spinal muscular atrophy before her eight-month-old twins were diagnosed.

Jesy explained that her daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, were born prematurely at 31 weeks and initially reassured as healthy. But as time passed, subtle changes began to haunt her. She said she now believes early intervention could have altered everything, admitting through tears that if she had seen a video or known the symptoms sooner, the outcome might have been different.

The 34-year-old told the show that her entire world has been turned upside down. Her home, she said, now resembles a hospital, with medical equipment lining the hallway – a brutal contrast to the joy she expected after bringing her babies home. The moment that hurts most, Jesy confessed, is no longer being able to “just be their mum”, explaining that she feels she has been forced into the role of a nurse instead.

She revealed how she began noticing worrying signs: her daughters’ breathing appeared laboured from their stomachs, their legs moved less with each passing week, and what once seemed like normal development gradually faded away. Looking back at old videos, Jesy said it is painfully clear how quickly the movement stopped – a reality she finds impossible to accept knowing treatment is far more effective when given at birth.

Jesy told viewers she will “never get over” the diagnosis, adding that while she can try to cope, acceptance feels out of reach. Although her daughters have since received a one-off gene therapy infusion that prevents further muscle loss, doctors have warned that any muscles already damaged cannot be recovered. She shared that the girls may never walk, may struggle with neck strength, and are likely to need wheelchairs – news she described as unbearable.

Despite the heartbreak, Jesy spoke with fierce determination about using her platform to fight for change. She has launched a petition calling for SMA screening to be added to routine newborn testing across the UK, insisting she feels a duty to speak out if it could save another child’s future. While Scotland is set to introduce screening, the test is still unavailable for newborns elsewhere in the country.

Fighting back tears, Jesy said her daughters remain happy, smiling, and strong – and that seeing them face this together gives her strength. All she can do now, she said, is pour her energy into constant physiotherapy, positivity, and campaigning, vowing she will keep shouting about SMA until change finally comes.

“I FOUGHT IN SILENCE… AND ALMOST DIDN’T MAKE IT!” At 70, Anne Diamond Shatters Hearts As She Finally Speaks Out About Her Secret Battle With Breast Cancer, Revealing She Was Rushed To Hospital After Her Blood Pressure Skyrocketed — Leaving Paramedics “White With Fear.” Her Voice Trembles As She Confesses, “I Didn’t Disappear To Travel The World… I’ve Been Fighting For My Life, Alone.” Despite Her Longing To Return To The Studio, The Place That Once Made Her Feel “Less Alone In Illness,” She Admits, Tearfully, “I Can’t Face This Battle Completely On My Own… For Now, I Have No Choice But To Step Back.” Fans Are Flooding Social Media With Heartbroken Support, Many Saying, “We’re Crying With You, Anne — You’re The Bravest We Know.” And Behind Closed Doors, A Source Claims Anne Is Determined To Fight, Whispering, “This Isn’t Over… I Refuse To Let Cancer Win.”

The 69-year-old broadcaster detailed on her GBNews Breakfast Show how she has had to take time off-screen due to dangerously high blood pressure

Anne Diamond has revealed the heartbreaking truth behind her recent disappearance from television — and it is far from the carefree “world cruise” that social media gossip imagined.

Last year Anne revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and explained she underwent a double masectomy

The 70-year-old broadcasting icon, who has spent decades brightening Britain’s mornings, shared that she has been quietly fighting breast cancer, a battle that has left her exhausted, fragile, and facing unexpected medical emergencies completely on her own.

Speaking with raw honesty, Anne explained that she had been forced off-screen not because of travel, but because of dangerously high blood pressure that spiraled so suddenly paramedics “went white with concern” the moment they saw her numbers.

“I had no idea my blood pressure was so high,” she admitted. “They took one look and said, ‘You’re going to hospital — now.’”

That frightening emergency unfolded just months after Anne had undergone a double mastectomy as part of her battle with breast cancer — a battle she previously kept intensely private.

Despite her long resilience, Anne said her health has been unpredictable and overwhelming, leaving her unable to return to her beloved studio job for now.

She confessed that working in television once helped her feel “less alone” amid illness, offering a brief moment where she felt like herself again.
Now, however, the physical toll has made it impossible.

Still, her message was not despair — but a plea for awareness.

Anne urged viewers to take blood pressure seriously, calling it “one of the most overlooked dangers,” and shared how she had been stunned by how quickly her own condition escalated.

She also reflected on the emotional part of her journey — months of fighting cancer largely in silence, relying only on a small circle of trusted friends.

Last year, Anne revealed that she had received her breast cancer diagnosis on the very same morning she was notified she would be awarded an OBE for her decades of campaigning work for children’s health — a bittersweet moment she described as “life coming at you from both sides.”

A beloved figure of daytime television since the 1980s, Anne has fronted programmes for the BBC, ITV, and most recently GB News, where viewers had grown worried about her long absence.

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While she remains determined and hopeful, she acknowledged that her road to recovery is far from over.

But even in the hardest moments, she carries the quiet strength of someone who has rebuilt herself before — through grief, illness, and unimaginable challenges.

And now, once again, she is fighting her way forward.

 “I’m terrified… but I’m not giving up.” — After a lifetime of making the nation laugh, a much-loved comedy icon has shared a heartbreaking update from her hospital bed — and it’s left fans across Britain in tears. Battling an aggressive stage-four cancer, she admits chemo is “smacking me around”, revealing she’s shaved her head and is facing the fight of her life with raw honesty — and trademark dark humour. Even in the darkest moments, a message from a young fan has become her lifeline.  Her emotional video and the full story behind the shock diagnosis are here

“I’m Scared… But I’m Still Fighting”: Magda Szubanski’s Heartbreaking Hospital Update As She Battles Stage-Four Cancer.

“I’m Scared… But I’m Still Fighting”: Magda Szubanski’s Raw Hospital Update As She Faces Stage-Four Cancer

For decades, Magda Szubanski has been the woman who made the world laugh — from her unforgettable turn as Sharon in Kath & Kim to the warmth she brought to films like Babe. But now, at 64, she is fighting the toughest role of her life.

From her hospital bed, the beloved Australian actress has shared an emotional update as she battles stage-four mantle cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. Her words are honest, unfiltered — and heartbreakingly human.

A Diagnosis That Came Out Of Nowhere

Magda revealed that her illness was discovered in May during what she thought was a routine breast screening. Doctors spotted swollen lymph nodes, and further tests confirmed the devastating truth.

“It’s one of the nasty ones, unfortunately,” she admitted.

In preparation for chemotherapy, she shaved her head — not just for practicality, but as a way to reclaim a little control in a situation filled with fear and uncertainty.

“Chemo Is Smacking Me Around”

In a candid caption accompanying her hospital video, Magda didn’t soften the reality.

“Chemo is smacking me around right now,” she wrote.

For someone whose career has been built on joy and laughter, this raw confession struck a powerful chord. It reminded fans that behind the famous face is a woman experiencing exhaustion, pain and vulnerability — and choosing to share it anyway.

Finding Light In The Darkness

Even in the middle of treatment, it was a small, beautiful moment that lifted her spirits most.

A ten-year-old fan had dressed up as Sharon Strzelecki and sent her a message — a simple act that Magda said brought unexpected joy into a hospital routine filled with needles, machines and long, silent hours.

It was proof that kindness, creativity and love can still shine through the darkest times.

Humour, Even Now

True to form, Magda managed to lace her update with her trademark wit. Warning fans about her weakened immune system, she joked:

“Don’t hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly.”

That mix of humour and honesty is exactly why she has been adored for so long.

A Wave Of Love

Since sharing her story, messages of support have poured in from fans, friends and fellow performers across the world. Many grew up with her on their screens — and now feel personally invested in her fight.

Magda has never been shy about using her platform for good, campaigning for marriage equality, mental health awareness and social justice. Today, her courage is speaking louder than any speech ever could.

More Than A Celebrity Update

This isn’t just a health update from a famous face.

It’s a reminder that behind every diagnosis is a human being holding onto tiny moments of joy — a child’s costume, a kind word, a laugh shared in a hospital corridor.

Magda Szubanski isn’t just battling cancer. She’s showing the world what resilience really looks like: fear and hope existing side by side, humour blooming in the bleakest places, and courage defined not by perfection — but by honesty.

And as she continues treatment, one thing is clear.

The woman who made generations laugh is still doing what she’s always done best — reminding us how to find light, even when life feels unbearably dark.

“I never thought I’d have to say this on air…” Britain was left holding its breath as Dr Hilary Jones made a raw, emotional statement about his future on ITV — right in the middle of a live broadcast rocked by sweeping network cutbacks. The studio froze. The crew stared in silence. And viewers at home felt something change in real time. What finally pushed the nation’s most trusted TV doctor to break his silence at 72? Read the full heartbreaking story

“I Never Thought I’d Say This On Air…” — Dr Hilary Jones Breaks Down Live As Britain Holds Its Breath.n

Dr Hilary Jones has revealed he is stepping away from Lorraine after an extraordinary 36 years on ITV, as sweeping broadcaster cuts begin to reshape the future of daytime television.

Dr Hilary Jones has revealed he is leaving Lorraine after 36 years amid the brutal ITV cuts (Seen in August)

The 72-year-old GP has been a familiar face to millions of viewers, appearing on the morning programme since its launch in 2010 — but now confirms that his final regular appearance will be on New Year’s Eve, after the show’s airtime was dramatically reduced.

The GP, 72, has been a regular feature on the morning show – which is facing the brunt of the broadcaster’s cuts announced in May – since its inception in 2010 (Seen with Lorraine in 2020)

Dr Hilary first broke into TV in 1989 as the resident doctor on TV-am before becoming the health and medical editor on GMTV from 1993. When GMTV was later replaced by Daybreak and then Lorraine, he remained a central part of the team — right up until ITV’s latest round of cost-cutting.

Earlier this year, ITV announced that Lorraine will now air for just 30 minutes a day, only 30 weeks of the year — with Good Morning Britain taking over the 9am–10am slot for the remaining 22 weeks.

Dr Hilary kick started his television career in 1989 as the TV-am doctor before featuring as the health and medical advisor on GMTV from 1993 (Seen in 1996)

Speaking to The Sun, Dr Hilary confirmed the decision to step back, explaining that from January he will become a “free agent”, though he may still return for occasional guest appearances.

“People are being very sensitive to the fact that some people are having to move on,” he said. “A lot of people are being redeployed elsewhere or staying in similar roles. ITV, like everyone else, are having to make changes.”

An ITV spokesperson added: “Dr Hilary remains a valued part of the team.”

It comes days after Lorraine Kelly broke her silence on ITV’s decision to slash her daytime show, insisting that despite the ‘heartbreaking’ cuts, she wasn’t going to quit anytime soon (Seen in February)

The news comes just days after Lorraine Kelly herself finally broke her silence on the brutal cuts, admitting that while she had an “inkling” changes were coming, the scale of the decision left her devastated for her team.

Under the new schedule, Lorraine will now present five days a week for the 30 weeks her show remains on air — meaning her usual Friday stand-ins Ranvir Singh and Christine Lampard are no longer required. The programme’s length has also been slashed in half, now running only from 9.30am to 10am.

Reports have suggested that of ITV’s 450 daytime staff, up to 220 jobs could be at risk — a figure Lorraine admitted had left her angry, though not for herself.

“I wasn’t annoyed or angry about this for me… it was about the team,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking to lose people you’ve grown up with and worked alongside for more than 20 years.”

Despite widespread speculation that she might also walk away, Lorraine insisted she has no plans to quit.

Pointing to Loose Women stars Janet Street Porter and Gloria Hunniford as inspirations, she added: “I’ll be toddling off that show in my Zimmer frame — and even then, I’ll still be coming in. I’m not going anywhere until people get fed up.”

For Dr Hilary, however, the curtain is finally closing — marking the end of a television era shaped by calm advice, steady reassurance and decades of service to British daytime TV.