Jo Whiley is praised for sharing an honest account of her ‘really hard’ Christmas with her ailing parents as she admits ‘they were in a world of pain the whole time they were with us’

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It was a really tough Christmas for my family, honestly. Seeing Jo Whiley talk about it, I really felt for her as she’s been dealing with the difficult realities of caring for her parents, who aren’t well. It’s just been a hard time for everyone involved.

The 60-year-old TV and radio personality shared a heartfelt and candid story about her Christmas with her friend and podcast co-host, Zoe Ball.

Jo has previously shared that her father, Martin, a retired electrician, is living with Parkinson’s disease. She’s also said that his worsening health has been very difficult for their family.

Her mother, Christine, is also facing health challenges and needs three surgeries – including procedures on her back and ankle.

Jo shared that both of her parents came to visit her and her siblings during the holidays. She also hosted her mother-in-law and her sister Frances, who lives with cri du chat syndrome, a genetic condition.

“Christmas was really difficult,” she explained to Zoe. “Having both my parents and Steve’s mother staying with my sister and us all together was a lot to handle for everyone.”

Jo described realizing her and her siblings’ homes weren’t practical for her aging parents. She explained that everyday things, like furniture and small steps, became difficult for them: ‘Things you don’t even think about become huge obstacles, and it’s really uncomfortable.’

‘They were in a world of pain for the whole time they were with us.’

Jo explained that her sister Frances, and a dark sense of humor, were a source of strength for her family. She described Frances as being her usual energetic self, constantly asking for gifts – a behavior that was both amusing and challenging during a difficult time.

If you’ve ever cared for someone with special needs or a learning disability, you’ll understand what I mean. It’s a rewarding experience, often filled with humor, and sometimes you just have to laugh to cope with the challenges.

The children were fantastic and we all had a lot of fun – you have to laugh to get through tough times, and it definitely was challenging work.

As a lifestyle expert, I know a lot of you probably feel the same way I did – getting through the holidays can be a real challenge. Honestly, Christmas was particularly tough this year, but the good news is, it’s over, and we made it! I’m sending a big exhale of relief to anyone else who feels that way.

This Christmas taught me how much I appreciate the laughter, love, and support of my friends and family. Getting through everything was so much easier with them by my side.

Jo later shared more details about her family’s health, explaining that she’s okay with the current situation and deeply appreciates her parents, who she describes as amazing individuals.

It was difficult for my parents to visit our home because they have trouble getting around. My mum is in a lot of pain and needs surgery on her spine and ankle, which makes even walking very painful for her.

It was heartbreaking watching my dog go from zooming around the house to needing a walker and struggling just to sit comfortably. This year, the change was really noticeable – she was clearly in pain, and it was tough to see.

My dad has Parkinson’s disease, which affects his walking, making it hard for him to get from the kitchen to the living room because he shuffles his feet.

My sister, Frances, is incredibly cheerful and brings so much joy to everyone she meets. She’s a wonderful and adored aunt to my children, but she also needs support, and it can be quite demanding at times.

They went home early because they felt most comfortable there, which was a little disappointing. I hope that explains things okay.

Jo, a mother of four who is married to Steve Morton, spoke in July about her father’s battle with Parkinson’s disease.

‘We had been suspecting something was going on with my dad for a while, so it was good to get a diagnosis, and now we’re trying to make sense of it all,’ she told The Mirror. 

It’s still very new and he’s understandably disoriented. Experiences like this help you see what truly matters and stop stressing over trivial things.

As you get older, everyone eventually faces more responsibilities and has more people they need to care for – that’s just part of life.

I’m a naturally emotional person, and I don’t like to hide my feelings. I believe it’s healthy to express what you’re going through, and I honestly can’t picture myself going through life without sometimes crying.

I often wish I didn’t cry so much, and if there was a way to easily stop, I likely would. I tend to cry when I’m exhausted, which can sometimes make me unexpectedly burst into tears.

People will probably ask what’s wrong, but I’m just really tired. If I want to keep my feelings to myself, I’ll cry somewhere private, like in the car or while swimming – though I have to be careful not to gulp down too much water!

When life feels overwhelming, and your mind is racing, allowing yourself to cry can be a healthy way to cope.

Last April, Jo shared that her sister Frances was doing remarkably well after moving into a care home.

As someone who’s followed a lot of inspiring figures, I’ve been so impressed by this DJ’s openness about supporting people with learning differences. She frequently shares her personal journey caring for her loved one, Frances, and it’s really powerful to see her use her platform to raise awareness and understanding.

She told Saga Magazine that her sister currently lives in a care home operated by Mencap, a charity that helps people with learning disabilities.

She shared that she frequently worries about her sibling’s well-being. She explained that many people who have cared for others – whether as parents, caregivers, or siblings – have told her it’s a huge relief to know their loved one is doing okay, because it’s incredibly difficult to entrust someone you care for to another person’s care.

I’ve always been preoccupied with Frances’s well-being. My biggest concern, throughout my entire life, has been making sure she’s happy and safe.

We’ve moved around a lot, trying to find the right place for Frances. She has trouble sleeping and sometimes has big emotional reactions, so we need a home that understands and can handle challenging behaviors, like her occasionally running off. Thankfully, she’s currently doing really well – better than ever before.

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2026-01-08 13:21