Jo Whiley became emotional as she described the difficult process of informing her younger sister, Frances, about the death of their father, Martin. Frances, 53, lives with Cri du Chat syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes significant learning disabilities and developmental delays, and also has diabetes.

Whiley, 61, announced her father's passing on a Wednesday, just weeks after sharing an update on his Parkinson's disease diagnosis. The radio and television presenter discussed her family's grief on her podcast, "Dig It," with Zoe Ball.

During the conversation, Whiley explained how she communicated the news to Frances. "Frances has been extraordinary and she completely understands what is going on, she knows that he's not going to get better," Whiley said, recalling her sister's questions. Instead of avoiding the truth, Whiley explained, "you just have to say 'Well, he is not going to come home.'" Frances then asked about her father's whereabouts, to which Whiley's mother, a devout Christian, responded that he was going to be with Jesus.

Whiley also shared a poignant moment from her father's final days. As he was on the cusp of consciousness, Frances asked him to say her name, and he managed to utter the word "Frances." This interaction brought tears to Zoe Ball's eyes. Whiley described it as a "lovely moment," noting that Frances was overjoyed, saying, "Daddy said my name! It couldn't have been better."

In an Instagram post announcing her father's death, Whiley shared photos and videos of him, remembering him as "the kindest man, who lived solely to make others happy." She described him as selfless and a man who loved caring for others and making people laugh. She noted that her father, Martin Whiley, was widely known in his village and at school gates, having served as the "BEST Manny EVER" for her children.

Whiley credited her father with her love of music, recalling how he worked as an electrician and would play music on a large ghetto blaster at his worksites. She referred to him as the "OG DJ." She also shared details of his challenging childhood, including a period spent alone in a sanatorium for TB and being raised by a family friend after his parents were absent. Whiley stated that her father found happiness and purpose in building his own family with her mother, dedicating his life to caring for others, perhaps in response to his own early experiences of not being cared for.

Whiley acknowledged the challenges of raising a child with a learning disability in the 1970s, referring to Frances's Cri du Chat syndrome. She highlighted her father's positive impact, describing him as a "force for good in the LD world" through his acceptance and love of people with differences.

Whiley's father is survived by her, Frances, and his four grandchildren: India, Jude, Cass, and Coco. In a message from Frances shared by Whiley, she thanked her father for "endless stories" and expressed how much she would miss him.

Following the announcement, Whiley received numerous condolences from celebrity friends, including Fearne Cotton, Davina McCall, and Denise Van Outen.

The news of her father's death came shortly after Whiley revealed her family had been navigating various health struggles. In an interview with Woman & Home, she mentioned that her mother had undergone back surgery and that she had been spending time at the hospital with both parents. Her father's battle with Parkinson's disease was a significant concern, with Whiley describing the daily routine as feeling like "Groundhog Day." She recalled a "heartbreaking moment" when her father questioned the necessity of his Parkinson's medication and whether the disease would simply disappear.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological condition affecting movement, with no known cure. Whiley's employer, BBC Radio 2, issued a statement expressing condolences and confirming that Whiley would return to her show when she feels ready, with Edith Bowman covering her evening show in the interim.