Fighting for life before they are even born, singer twins have already made their parents proud. Their dad admits he feared they might not make it - and says he is dreaming of the day when they are old enough to learn about what they went through together.

Former star Jesy had emergency surgery this month after the babies developed twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome - a rare condition which could have been fatal for one or both twins.

The operation was a success but Jesy and her partner, Zion Foster, have lived in hospital for six weeks and will stay there until the babies are born. Un the first interview either of them has given about the drama, Zion said: “They’re giving us so much hope they’re going to come out healthy.

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"Jesy and the twins have come through so much. There were so many times in this pregnancy we didn't think we'd get to where we are now.”

The rapper is running the on Sunday to raise money for the , which offers support to families with twins. Dedicating his efforts to his unborn babies, he added: “Their strength has been unmatched. We literally feel like we know them already just because of how much they've overcome.

“Their characters are so strong. They're so brave,” he said. “This is definitely for them. I think to me, they're the most important thing. I really want them to look back and just know that we're so proud of them really for what they've overcome.”

Describing the twins’ condition, 26-year-old Zion said: “Essentially, there's not an equal share of blood flow and nutrients in the body for the twins. So one twin will end up getting too much or one twin will end up getting too little.

“And I guess when we found out we had twins, you just don't know what comes with it. Everyone just says: ‘Oh my God, you've got twins? That's amazing, congratulations.’ But actually, it can add so many complications. It can make pregnancy such a difficult time, not just for the mum, but also the father as well. Just because there’s so much uncertainty.”

Jesy, 33, is now about seven months along. Medics have said they would love her to reach 32 weeks before they are born - and Zion said the longer the twins stay in, the better. He said: “The hardest moment was definitely the operation. But now that we've overcome that, every day is just a day better.

“A day more of them growing, which just makes us happy. We just want them to keep growing, growing, growing so they can come out as healthy as possible.

“I do think we've come out of the storm a little bit. I mean, look, the truth is she's still premature. So the reality is there is still that sense we need them to keep staying in. But from where we've come, we just feel so grateful. We just keep ticking off day by day and hopefully just let them go as long as they can.”

After her operation, Jesy said: “We feel so grateful and blessed that these little babies are still going strong,” The star, from Romford, East London, shot to fame on ’s The in 2011 and stayed in the group until 2020.

She has been dating Zion, from South London, since November 2022 - and he said their recent ordeal has brought them closer together. “The same four walls are driving us a bit crazy,” Zion admitted.

“We've literally grown to understand each other on a deeper level. And I think we really understand how much we actually care about each other.

“I think it's at these times when you really, really know what love you have and what your relationship means. And I think for me and Jess, this has just taken it to a whole other level of us knowing we are literally made for each other.”

The couple have tried to make the hospital as much of a home as possible. Zion added: “There's a couch that turns into a bed that we pushed next to the hospital bed, so we've made our own double bed.

“And it's like we've moved in. The nurses just said, ‘Oh, my God. It looks so nice in here. It looks so homely’. Everyone is so supportive and kind here and really looking after Jess really well, and she's made so many friends. It's just so good for Jess. Because it really keeps her spirit up and just takes her mind off things, even when she's feeling uncomfortable or a bit down.”

Zion has even been doing the majority of his training in the hospital, setting up a mini-gym to do strength training and occasionally heading out for runs while Jesy rests. He is not targeting any specific time, after signing up for the marathon less than two months ago.

Jesy cannot leave the hospital - but Zion has promised to FaceTime her at the starting line and the finish and friends plan to go and support him and share videos and photos with Jesy along the route. He added: “She just said: ‘Don’t worry about time. Doesn't matter how long it takes you to cross that line. You just cross that line. If you need to walk then walk.’

“Obviously the babies are coming really soon. So she’s like: ‘Make sure you're in good condition to start taking care of them as soon as they come out.’"

The couple have received thousands of messages of support from the public since they spoke about the twins’ struggles. Zion said Jesy regularly reads them and they are a source of comfort. He explained: “It's really been incredible, the level of support. It's been absolutely incredible.

“And I think just massive, massive, massive credit to Jesy, because obviously when these kinds of things happen, it's very difficult to actually share that.

“But Jess had the courage to say: ‘You know what? I want to put this story out there. I want to let people in. I want people to know it's not just about sharing the good moments. I want people to know the reality. And just to see the response, people’s support, the amount of messages that just flooded in daily.

“Even after the operation, Jess was recovering and we didn't say anything for a while, people were asking: ‘Oh, is everything OK?’ I think it's just been just so touching, and I don't know if the word is ‘motivational’, but it just really keeps us going. It helps our frame of mind and helps us just keep going day by day, just feeling supported and feeling love.”

* To sponsor Zion in the London Marathon, go to