Jesy Nelson has reportedly withdrawn from a six-figure deal to appear on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, with insiders revealing the reason behind the decision. The former Little Mix member gave birth prematurely to twin daughters Ocean and Story in March 2025. Both girls were born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type 1, and neither is expected to ever walk.
Campaigning and withdrawal
Jesy had reportedly been hoping to use her time on the ITV reality show as a platform to raise awareness of the condition. However, with weeks to go before the programme returns, it has emerged that she has withdrawn. A source said: "Jesy was so excited about joining I'm A Celebrity, mainly because it was giving her a platform to continue her campaigning for SMA. She has already helped change Government policy over testing newborns for the condition."
The insider added: "I'm A Celeb was going to be where she could spread her message even further, and show a side to her the public may not have seen before. It's with a very heavy heart she has pulled out."
Family priority
Speaking to The Sun, the source continued: "Ocean and Story are unwell and there is no way Jesy would leave them. Her family are her priority. ITV have been amazing and are supporting her all the way. The door will always be left open for Jesy."
Despite the withdrawal, programme bosses reportedly remain receptive to the idea of Jesy appearing in a future series, which would have seen her become the first Little Mix member to take on the jungle challenge. In September, producers were reportedly confident that Jesy would be signing within weeks, though the singer informed bosses last month she was unable to commit.
Background
The 35-year-old pop star first shot to fame after winning The X Factor in 2011, going on to form Little Mix alongside Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall. She departed the group in 2020 and recently split from Zion Foster, the father of their twins, following an engagement of just under 12 months. The long-running reality series, which began in 2002, traditionally spans three weeks each November and features Ant and Dec broadcasting live from Australia's Gold Coast. Other personalities rumoured to be participating this year include footballer Wayne Rooney, former Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova, cricketer Ben Stokes and Kaiser Chiefs lead singer Ricky Wilson. A spokesperson stated: "Any names suggested for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! are just speculation."
