Jo Whiley has spoken about the frightening experience of watching her youngest daughter, Coco, being rushed to hospital with suspected sepsis just days after celebrating her 18th birthday.
The broadcaster described the ordeal as “absolutely terrifying” while discussing the incident with her friend Zoe Ball on their podcast, Dig It.
Coco, who turned 18 last week, developed the suspected infection following an ear infection that left her feeling extremely unwell.
Coco’s Birthday Celebrations Overshadowed by Sudden Illness
According to Jo, her daughter had been feeling “unbelievably sick” with an ear infection throughout her birthday celebrations.
Her condition worsened when she began vomiting up the antibiotics she had been prescribed.
Two days after turning 18, Coco was taken to hospital after developing symptoms that doctors identified as possible sepsis.
Jo admitted that she had been feeling guilty about leaving her daughter at home because she had a particularly busy day at work.
The radio presenter explained that she had repeatedly checked on Coco but eventually had to leave to fulfil her professional commitments.
While at work, she received a message from her eldest daughter, India, which simply read: “Hospital sepsis come home.”
Recalling her reaction, Jo said: “You know when your blood turns to ice… I forget everything else that’s going on. This is real life. And it was absolutely terrifying.”
Doctors Identified Signs of Sepsis From an Ear Infection
Jo credited India, 34, with recognising the seriousness of Coco’s condition and taking her to see a doctor.
Medical professionals reportedly identified signs of sepsis and immediately administered intravenous antibiotics before arranging an ambulance to transfer her to hospital.
Jo and her husband, music executive Steve Morton, rushed to be with their daughter and found her extremely unwell.
Doctors subsequently explained that Coco’s middle ear infection was the source of the suspected sepsis.
Jo admitted that she had never considered sepsis as a possible complication of an ear infection.
She also spoke about the guilt she experienced after receiving the news, particularly because she had gone to work instead of staying home with her daughter.
The presenter said she felt dreadful about leaving Coco behind and questioned whether she should have cancelled her commitments to look after her.
Jo and Husband Used Martha’s Rule During Hospital Ordeal
During Coco’s hospital admission, Jo and Steve also made use of Martha’s Rule, which allows patients, relatives and healthcare professionals to request an urgent review by another senior doctor when they believe a patient’s condition is deteriorating.
The initiative was introduced in 2024 following the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills, who died after developing sepsis in hospital when concerns about her deteriorating condition were not escalated.
The rule provides access to an alternative medical assessment through a dedicated telephone number when patients or their families feel their concerns are not being adequately addressed.
Jo explained that she and her husband were extremely anxious during Coco’s hospital stay, but knowing they could seek another medical opinion provided some reassurance.
She said: “We were really stressing out and we were really panicking.”
The broadcaster added that parents could feel powerless in such situations, particularly when their children’s care depended on medical professionals working under considerable pressure.
Broadcaster Praises NHS Staff for Their Support
Jo also described the experience of witnessing the demands placed on doctors and nurses in the hospital’s accident and emergency department.
She recalled seeing medical staff rushing between patients and dealing with several emergencies while appearing visibly exhausted.
The presenter said the experience gave her a firsthand understanding of the pressures facing healthcare professionals and patients in emergency departments.
She particularly praised one nurse who continued answering her telephone calls and providing updates throughout the night.
Because Coco had just turned 18, Jo was informed that she could not remain with her daughter overnight.
However, the nurse’s willingness to keep her informed made a considerable difference during the difficult experience.
Jo said: “It makes a world of difference when someone is kind to you when you’re in hospital.”
She added that a gentle and compassionate approach from medical staff could mean a great deal to families going through frightening medical situations.
Coco Recovering From Frightening Hospital Experience
A week after the incident, Jo revealed that Coco was recovering but remained physically and emotionally affected by what had happened.
Describing her daughter’s condition, she said she was “battered and fragile” but healing well.
However, Jo acknowledged that the psychological effects of the experience were still present.
She explained that Coco had been particularly frightened while receiving treatment, recalling that her daughter repeatedly expressed fears about dying.
Jo said Coco had told her: “I just want to close my eyes, but I’m scared I’m going to die.”
The presenter described the emotional aftermath as real, despite her daughter’s improving physical condition.
Jo and Zoe Reflect on Changes in Their Parenting
The conversation also touched on how Jo and Zoe’s lifestyles have changed since becoming mothers.
During an earlier March episode of Dig It, the two broadcasters reflected on their younger years, when they frequently went out partying and balanced their social lives with raising young children.
They acknowledged that their children have experienced a different version of them compared with their younger years.
Jo shares four children with her husband Steve: India, 34, Jude, 27, Cassius, 25, and Coco, 18.
Zoe, meanwhile, has two children, Woody, 25, and Nellie, 16, with her former husband, DJ Fatboy Slim, whose real name is Norman Cook.
Jo and Zoe Discuss Their Changing Relationship With Alcohol
Both women also spoke about reducing their alcohol consumption and how the change had affected their relationships with their families.
Jo admitted that her younger children had experienced a more settled version of her as a mother.
She explained that India could remember her attending the Brit Awards and returning home after nights out, while Coco had grown up with a mother who was less involved in that lifestyle.
Jo said she previously enjoyed going out, drinking and staying away until the early hours, but her priorities had changed over the years.
Zoe also explained that she now limits herself to one or two drinks, describing her current relationship with alcohol as very different from the past.
She said she was pleased that her children now had a healthier version of her who was available whenever they needed her.
The presenter added that she enjoyed a quieter lifestyle, going to bed earlier and spending more time looking after herself and the people around her.
