Jo Whiley flooded with support after missing Radio 2 show as her sister is admitted to hospital with Covid

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Fans have extended their support to BBC Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley, who missed last night’s show after her sister was admitted to hospital with Covid-19.

The broadcaster had campaigned for her sister Frances, who has learning disabilities and diabetes, to receive the Covid vaccine.

Wiley wrote on social media that her sister was “very poorly”, and had contracted the disease following an outbreak in her Northamptonshire care home.

“I don’t feel shiny or happy tonight, I feel very scared,” she wrote on Twitter yesterday, after announcing her absence from the show.

On Instagram, Whiley wrote: “So.... currently [Frances is] in hospital with my Mum - thank god. It’s beyond awful not being able to go and give her a hug and hold her hand and help my parents.

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“X-Rays show signs of pneumonia - her oxygen levels have at times been dangerously low and they managed to successfully sedate her for about 45 mins which gave her oxygen a good boost and us hope. However she’s now awake and the night is young but long. Let’s see what it brings...”

In the comments underneath the post, support flooded in for Whiley and her family from fans.

“Sending your whole family so much love at this difficult time,” wrote one Instagram follower. Praying that this is just a hiccup and that Frances starts to feel better very soon.”

“Oh Jo, your posts have just been so hard to read so can only begin to imagine how hard it is for you and all your family,” wrote another. “You’re all in my thoughts as you battle this.”

Earlier this week, Whiley opened up about her concern over her sister’s wellbeing.

The presenter said she was “living a nightmare” and expressed frustration that she had been offered a vaccine before her sister.