Copyright manchestereveningnews
A JLS star has said that they ‘hasn’t been able to sleep’ after his baby was rushed to hospital as he provided a health update. The popular boyband are preparing to tour the UK as part of their The Club Is Alive: 2025 Hits Tour, which arrives in Manchester’s Co-Op Arena on Saturday, November 15. Consisting of Aston Merrygold, Oritse Williams, Marvin Humes, and JB Gill, the group rose to fame after competing on ITV ’s The X Factor in 2008, coming in second to Alexandra Burke. With just over a week until the band is back on the road, Ortise has revealed that his son Shiva has been rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis. Ortise and his wife Kazz Williams welcomed Shiva into the world last year after what they said was an ‘anxious pregnancy’. Having gone through two miscarriages before Shiva was born, the couple have been in and out of hospital in recent weeks due to their child’s health. Speaking to The Sun, Ortise said that Shiva is ‘wrapped up in cotton wool’ due to them being protective of their ‘miracle’ baby as he opened up about their latest hospital trip. He said: "Yesterday he got readmitted into hospital. He's caught a viral infection, and the temperatures went to dangerous heights. “They started throwing around words that really scared us, like meningitis and sepsis and stuff like that, so I literally cut out of rehearsals for the [JLS] tour." Ortise added: "I just literally got in my car, and I messaged everyone to let them know where I was, and I just dropped everything. “I went to the hospital to be by my wife’s side and this week, because he’s been ill, I haven’t been able to sleep through the night at all." According to the NHS , meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges), and it most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. Meningitis symptoms include high temperature (fever), being sick, headaches, a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it, a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights, drowsiness or unresponsiveness and seizures. Announcing that he and Kazz were expecting their first child in October last year, Ortise said: "Overwhelmed with emotion, love, and awe, words can’t express how I feel about my Queen, my soulmate, my hero, and stunning Mama Kazz. “Her strength, her sacrifices, and everything she’s overcome to bring us to this point leave me in absolute wonder. This journey has tested us in ways I can’t describe, but her courage has shown me the true depths of love and resilience. “We’re embracing this sacred time together in our little family bubble. Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for everyone who has stood by us and continues to surround us.” Following Shiva’s birth several weeks later, Kazz told OK! Magazine: "Honestly, I'm on cloud nine. I’m in complete awe of my baby boy, he is truly a blessing and I'm proud of us." She continued: "I suffered from anxiety throughout most of my pregnancy. I booked a private scan every week just for reassurance, up until my 20-week scan, when I started to calm down a little. “I also found out I had gestational diabetes, which meant changing my diet completely. Oritsé made sure I was eating healthy food and cooked for me daily – I did miss bingeing on pizzas and ice cream though!"
