Roz Purcell broke down in tears on air revealing she has been separated from her sister Rachel during lockdown due to her illness.
Rachel has been living with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) since 2016, which makes her especially vulnerable to Covid-19.
While the 32-year-old’s rare condition is incurable, it is managed by daily medication.
In an emotional admission on air, Roz said it has been heartbreaking to be seperated from her older sister and their loved ones throughout the pandemic.
Tipperary native Roz, 29, was left sobbing live on air when the familiar sound of her sister’s voice was played on the show.
Rachel voice note said: “Just a shout out to say that I am really missing my family in Tipp at the moment… And of course, Roz, my sister.
“But thankfully I get to listen to her every day on the radio this week.”
The former Miss Universe Ireland, who has been keeping her fans upbeat through cooking and workout videos throughout lockdown, burst into tears after hearing the message and admitted she’s been really missing her “best friend”.
She went on to explain she and her family have had to seperate over the past few weeks, as Rachel is in one of the most “vulnerable” categories right now.
The cookbook author and fitness fanatic said: “I don’t know why I am crying? That was my sister Rachel and you know I think everyone who knows me knows we’re best friends.”
“And I think as a family we are all really, really close and Rachel is one of the most vulnerable people in society living with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia. So we’re all staying apart and it is really difficult…”
The former model is hosting 2fm Breakfast with Eoghan McDermott this week, while Doireann Garrihy is on annual leave.
As part of 2FM’s wellbeing initiative You Ok?, the breakfast show has a daily segment called Miss You, where the presenters read out listeners’ messages and play their voice notes - dedicated to the people they are missing the most during the Covid-19 emergency.
