BBC Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley shared a candid update on her family’s struggles as she admitted it took a toll on her physical appearance.
The broadcaster, 61, said she has been “just trying to get through each day” while supporting her parents and sister.
In the September issue of Woman & Home, Jo said recent months have been difficult. She also said things are now “better than they were.”
She continues to juggle her Radio 2 show and two podcasts. Away from work, family health issues have shaped daily life.
Jo opened up about her family health struggles behind the scenes (Credit: Splashnews.com)
Jo Whiley opens up about family health struggles
Jo said her mother had a back operation over Christmas. She also said her father is living with Parkinson’s.
She said: “My mum had a back operation over Christmas, and for a long time, all I was doing was going to the hospital and sitting with Mum and Dad. That became my whole world.
“Dad has Parkinson’s, and it was just about getting through each day and being there for them.”
Jo also spoke about her sister Frances, who has cri du chat syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. She said it matters to discuss the practical reality of having a sibling with learning disabilities.
Who is Jo Whiley’s sister Frances?
Frances Whiley is Jo Whiley’s older sister. She has cri du chat syndrome, a rare genetic condition caused by a missing piece of chromosome 5.
Jo Whiley has spoken publicly for years about Frances and about the realities of long-term family care. In 2021, Jo appeared with Frances on Celebrity Gogglebox and later fronted the documentary Jo Whiley: Life at 50, which included family life and caring responsibilities.
Jo has also supported campaigns linked to disability, social care and inclusion, and has discussed how Frances has shaped her family life from childhood into adulthood.
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