BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent became visibly emotional during an interview with the grieving mother
Sally and Jon were moved by Ellen’s campaign (Image: BBC)
BBC Breakfast host Sally Nugent struggled to contain her emotions during a poignant segment on this morning’s programme (Monday 16 February). Alongside co-presenter Jon Kay, Sally welcomed a bereaved mother to the studio who has been pushing for legislative reform following her son’s tragic death. Ellen Roome MBE has been advocating for parents’ rights to access their deceased children’s social media profiles after losing her 14-year-old son Jools in April 2022.
Jools’ death occurred following an online challenge that went tragically wrong, with a coroner delivering a narrative verdict at the inquest and ruling out suicide. Ellen’s relentless campaigning has resulted in legislative change through the introduction of Jools’ Law. Her aim was to obtain access to Jools’ social media profiles following his death in an attempt to understand the circumstances, whilst also being committed to supporting other families encountering similar obstacles, reports the Mirror.
Sally Nugent was left visibly emotional by the difficult interview(Image: BBC)
Before the live interview commenced on BBC Breakfast, viewers watched a pre-recorded segment showing Ellen becoming emotional whilst challenging social media corporations in New York, where she advocated for parental rights to access their late child’s social media presence. “It’s just really hard, because this little boy should be sat here right now with two loving parents and family, it’s not just us, his family, grandparents, uncles, brothers, sisters, his friends, it’s not just us who lost him,” she said through tears in the footage.
“I’ve tried for so long to understand why my special boy isn’t here, and I’m desperate to understand that,” she’d stated last month. Following the broadcast of the clip, Jon and Sally appeared visibly emotional as Ellen sat down with them on the sofa. Jon commended her relentless efforts to secure Government attention, declaring: “You did it,” whilst Ellen remarked to Sally: “You’re crying, I thought I’d cry.”
Ellen appeared on BBC Breakfast today(Image: BBC)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
She continued: “I did it, I have fought so hard, I wanted to make something positive out of the loss of Jools’ life and yeah, it’s happening. This law unfortunately won’t help me, it will help other parents. But I never wanted another parent to ever be in my position and be begging for answers, because I still don’t know what happened to Jools.”
Ellen described feeling “delighted” and “so pleased” that her advocacy is bringing about change, with the Crime and Policing Bill set to be amended so that data will be automatically retained for the days following a child’s death. “I’m just a mum that stood up and said, this is wrong, and I’ve repeated my story over and over,” she said.
The grieving mum has been tirelessly campaigning for change(Image: BBC)
“I just tried to use Jools’ story to make a difference, and make something positive out of it.” Throughout the discussion, Ellen struggled to hold back tears whilst reflecting on her determined campaign for reform. Sally responded: “You just said, ‘I’m just a mum,’ but you are so much more than just a mum. This has taken you across the world, you’ve spoken to people in power, you’ve spoken about your son at every opportunity.”
Ellen described the past few years as “emotionally hard”, stating: “Last night, I couldn’t sleep, I was just crying because Jools would be so proud. I’m not doing it for proudness or gratification, I was just so determined that I don’t want anybody to feel the pain that I felt.
“So I set about with two things, and I now need to find answers for Jools, that’s my next mission and I’m not stopping.” She continued: “I want to try everything, if I get to the very end and I still don’t know at least I’ve tried, and I can’t bear the thought that I will never know what happened to Jools or why.”
Sally Nugent and Jon Kay hosted BBC Breakfast today(Image: BBC)
She finished by saying: “I’m not stopping, there’s no way I’m stopping. There’s so much more we’ve got to achieve. I don’t know what my next steps are going forward with regards to changing the law, but I am backing all of those people that want to make it safer for children.
“Safeguarding is a number one priority and we 100% need to do more, and I’ll be there every step of the way.” Expressing gratitude for her appearance on the programme, Sally remarked: “It’s a hugely emotional moment and time for you, we’re so grateful you could share this with us.” When Ellen noted she “managed to do it without crying,” Sally responded: “You did brilliantly.”
