EXCLUSIVE Former TOWIE star Mark Wright was left in tears as he spoke about his young nephew Presley’s health battle, after the tot was diagnosed with a rare heart condition
Mark Wright was overcome with emotion as he opened up about his nephew Presley’s health battle, breaking down in tears during a moving speech.
The former TOWIE star, 37, was speaking at a special event for The Brompton Fountain, a charity supporting children with serious heart and lung conditions, when he became tearful talking about his young nephew’s journey.
Presley, the son of Mark’s sister Jessica Wright and her husband William Lee-Kemp, was diagnosed with a rare heart condition that has deeply affected the entire family.
Jessica, best known for her appearances on The Only Way Is Essex, welcomed her first child with William in May 2022.
The couple described the birth of their son as their dreams coming true, with Jessica calling her newborn “everything and more”.
However, their happiness was shattered when they discovered Presley was suffering from a Bicuspid Aortic Valve — a condition where the aortic valve has only two leaflets instead of the usual three.
Left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including heart failure and infection.
Presley now has regular hospital check-ups every 12 weeks, where doctors monitor his heart with scans and ECGs to determine when he will need open-heart surgery.
At the charity event, an emotional Mark struggled to contain his feelings after watching a short film featuring Presley and the vital work The Brompton Fountain carries out.
“When it’s that close to home, it just…sorry, it just hurts,” said Mark, his voice breaking as he addressed the crowd.
“Although I don’t tell her often, my sister is an extraordinary woman. I am biased, of course, but I think we can all agree that her and her husband Will’s strength, honesty and the love they show their son is nothing short of remarkable.
“And to my nephew, you’re the bravest little boy I know,” he added, turning his back to the stage to compose himself as the room — including his supportive wife Michelle Keegan — erupted in applause.
The heartfelt moment showed just how much the family is pulling together for little Presley during this incredibly tough time.
In February, Jessica revealed how Presley was rushed to the hospital. She opened up Presley first displayed symptoms of a mystery illness a week prior to the hospital dash when he refused food and was vomiting throughout the night, leading him to sleep in Jess and her husband Edward’s bed, something which she says is out of character for her son.
However, as his sickness developed into a “horrific cough and temperature”, Jess made the decision to present Presley at their local accident and emergency department.”
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