Jesy Nelson’s former fiancé, Zion Foster, says he has been subjected to death threats and vicious online abuse since the couple ended their relationship.
The pair confirmed their split in January, only weeks after announcing that their 16-month-old twin daughters, Story and Ocean, had been diagnosed with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
During a new interview, Zion spoke about the emotional toll of having his private life discussed publicly. The musician, who has since entered a new relationship like Jesy, also addressed the hostile messages he has faced, including claims that he walked away from his daughters after their diagnosis.
Speaking on YouTube podcast The Real Spill, the 27-year-old described the experience as isolating and difficult. “It’s a lonely space,” he said. “It is hard, there is a lot of alone time. A lot of uncertainty. It’s probably the hardest part.”
Zion revealed that he can sometimes wake up to hundreds of abusive messages, including people telling him to take his own life. “You can wake up to one thousand messages saying ‘go kill yourself’. It gets like that,” he said. Despite the impact, he added that he tries not to remain focused on the negativity and instead looks ahead with a positive mindset.
To protect his wellbeing, Zion said he has developed a way to limit his exposure to social media when online criticism becomes overwhelming.
Jesy Nelson’s former fiancé Zion Foster says he has received death threats following their separation
![The former couple announced their break-up in January this year, just weeks after revealing their twin daughters Story and Ocean [pictured], 16 months, had been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1](https://i.dailymail.com/1s/2026/09/28/15/111519889-16166659-The_former_couple_announced_their_break_up_in_January_this_year_-a-53_1790606644797.jpg)
The former couple announced their split in January, shortly after revealing that their 16-month-old twins, Story and Ocean [pictured], had been diagnosed with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy
He explained that he carries two phones—one connected to social media and another without any platforms installed. “If I don’t need the one with social media, it is staying at home,” he said, adding that he only takes it with him when he needs to share something, such as a studio update.
Zion also discussed the serious health challenges faced by his daughters, who are living with SMA, a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and can be life-limiting.
Speaking about co-parenting Story and Ocean with Jesy, 35, he said becoming a father had been a privilege despite the difficulties. “All in all it has been beautiful,” he said. “I love being a dad and I am so proud of my girls.”
He acknowledged that caring for children with SMA has involved a steep learning curve and described it as an ongoing journey for the family.
“Fatherhood is a marathon,” Zion said. “There is still a lot I am learning and there is still a lot I am going to learn. I am filled with love and joy and purpose. Whatever it takes, I will do it for them.”
The musician said he is determined not to let the girls’ condition define their sense of possibility. He explained that he does not want them to grow up believing they are limited simply because there are things they may not be able to do.
“When they were diagnosed, and throughout the whole process when you are dealing with a condition like SMA, the girls are constantly told you can’t,” he said. “From how I see the world, I want to be telling them what they can do.”
Zion said he is especially conscious of protecting their confidence as they grow older. “Yes, they have a disability and it might be life-limiting, but I am focused on what they can do,” he explained. “I don’t want them to get to a certain age and have confidence issues. I want them to feel like they can.”
Zion, who has also moved on with a new partner, described the pressure of seeing his relationship breakdown unfold in the public eye and addressed the abusive messages he has received
Zion said co-parenting his daughters, Ocean and Story, with Jesy had been a deeply meaningful experience: “All in all it has been beautiful. It is a privilege and I love being a dad and I am so proud of my girls”
“Fatherhood is a marathon,” Zion said. “There is still a lot I am learning and there is still a lot I am going to learn. I am filled with love and joy and purpose. Whatever it takes I will do it for them”
Although Zion did not discuss the details of his relationship with the former Little Mix singer, he described it as “unfortunate” when relationships come to an end while sharing his views on commitment.
‘As a man I have always been raised [to aim for] marriage…so engagement is a blessing, something to be proud of and a goal’ remarked the musical artist.
He continued: ‘For me engagement and marriage I am a fan of. It’s a part of my thinking. It’s unfortunate when things don’t go how you want them to go, but you keep going and the goal doesn’t change. The path I want to walk, I want to be engaged, I want to be married, I want a strong family unit.’
It comes after Zion hit back at accusations he abandoned his twin daughters after they were diagnosed with SMA type 1.
The girls were diagnosed in January 2026 – with the weeks before and after the diagnosis documented in Amazon Prime series Jesy Nelson: Life Changing.
In one of the episodes, Zion could be seen struggling to come to terms with the devastating diagnosis, saying: ‘I’m not equipped to deal with this. I’m out of my depth; emotionally, physically and mentally.
‘At the moment I’m surviving. I just need to get help.’
Jesy added: ‘I can tell he’s really struggling. For a 26-year-old to have to now be put in this situation… I feel like I can see his life flashing before his eyes.’
The singer and Zion announced their split later that month, with Jesy saying on the show: ‘It’s hard. It’s just me and mum now.’
She also said: ‘I think we’re both thinking, “how the f*** are we going to do this?” And we will because we have to. We don’t have a choice. It’s really f****** hard.’
After his quotes caused backlash, Zion took to his Instagram Stories to set the record straight.
He wrote: ‘When I said I was “out of my depth”, I wasn’t saying I was walking away from my children or abandoning my responsibilities as a father.
‘I was talking about the overwhelming reality of suddenly facing a rare and complex medical diagnosis that I knew nothing about.
‘Being out of my depth meant I was learning. It meant I was trying to understand. It never meant I didn’t love my daughters or that I wasn’t going to be there for them…
‘Please don’t mistake vulnerability for abandonment.’
He added: ‘I love my girls more than words could ever express. They are my world and always will be.’
