In a deeply personal and emotional revelation, television presenter Janet Ellis has shared the heartbreaking story of experiencing ten miscarriages within just five years during her late thirties. The former Blue Peter host, now aged 70, endured this devastating series of pregnancy losses between the ages of 35 and 40 without ever receiving a medical explanation for what was happening.
A Mother's Protective Silence
Janet Ellis made the difficult decision to keep her traumatic experiences hidden from her famous daughter, singer Sophie Ellis Bextor, for many years. She explained her reasoning with poignant clarity, stating she didn't want to 'burden her' or potentially discourage Sophie from expanding her own family in the future. This protective instinct extended to all her children during that challenging period.
'After three miscarriages, you become a patient at the recurrent miscarriage clinic,' Janet revealed in her interview with The Mirror. 'But they never discovered why it happened. I already had three children, and I didn't want to lose their childhoods. They didn't know anything about what was happening. I didn't want them ever to think that I was unwell because of it.'
Family Connections and Modern Living Arrangements
The Ellis-Bextor family story takes an interesting contemporary turn with the living arrangements of Sophie's eldest son, 21-year-old Sonny. He has chosen to move out of the family's west London home to live with his grandmother Janet, creating a unique intergenerational household dynamic that both parties cherish.
Sonny explained his decision came from needing more personal space, noting that 'three of my brothers shared a room' at the family home and 'the only time the house got quiet was when everyone was in bed.' When his grandmother offered him the opportunity to move in as he finished school, he readily accepted, describing her house as having always felt like 'a second home anyway.'
A Mutually Beneficial Arrangement
This living situation has proven beneficial for both grandmother and grandson. Janet, who lost her husband of 32 years, John Leach, to cancer in 2020, welcomed the company in what had become a 'empty' five-bedroom house. Meanwhile, Sonny appreciates the independence while maintaining strong family connections.
'We've always been close but we're closer than ever now,' Sonny said of his relationship with Janet. 'I think if I did leave, I'd miss the home comforts. I would also miss my grandmother.'
Their household operates without strict rules, though Sonny naturally helps with laundry and washing up. They often share meals, with Janet cooking, but generally 'mostly do their own thing' while enjoying each other's company.
Medical Mysteries and Family Legacy
Janet Ellis's experience highlights the ongoing challenges in understanding recurrent pregnancy loss. Despite becoming a patient at a specialist miscarriage clinic after her third loss, medical professionals never identified a cause for her ten miscarriages. She believes this medical uncertainty continues to affect many women today, with explanations remaining 'completely unexplained' in numerous cases.
The family matriarch shares three children: Sophie Ellis Bextor, 46, with ex-husband Robin Bextor, plus daughter Martha-Rose, 35, and son Jackson, 38, with her late husband John Leach. Meanwhile, Sophie has built her own large family with husband Richard Jones, bassist for The Feeling, with whom she shares five sons ranging from 21-year-old Sonny to five-year-old Mickey.
Through her candid revelations, Janet Ellis has brought attention to the silent suffering many women endure with pregnancy loss while demonstrating the resilient, evolving nature of family bonds across generations.
