Bobby Brazier’s nan Jackiey Budden says Jade Goody would’ve been ‘looking down from heaven with pride’ as he competed in the Strictly final – after she was banned from attending
Bobby Brazier’s grandmother Jackiey Budden has claimed Jade Goody would have been ‘looking down from heaven with pride’ as Bobby competed in Saturday night’s Strictly Come Dancing final.
Despite being banned from attending the show amid an ongoing feud with Bobby’s dad Jeff Brazier, Jackiey made sure she still showed her support for her grandson.
Jackiey, 66, told The Sun: ‘[Jade] would have been so proud of him, as am I, and a lot of other people are too.
‘He always wears his mum’s bracelet, so she is always with him and he knows she’s always looking down on him.’
Bobby Brazier ‘s grandmother Jackiey Budden has claimed Jade Goody would have been ‘looking down from heaven with pride’ as Bobby competed in Saturday night’s Strictly final
Jackiey has revealed she is full of pride for her grandson – who performed a dance in tribute to Jade on the show with his professional partner Dianne Buswell
Bobby was only five when Jade, who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother’s Day in March 2009 (pictured in 2006)
Bobby’s dad Jeff, 44 (centre), single-handedly raised him and younger brother Freddie, 19 (left), with the pair both shedding tears as they watched Bobby from the audience
She added she is ‘due a catch-up’ with Bobby and his brother Freddie, 19, after not seeing them in over a year, saying: ‘I can’t wait to see him and give him a huge hug.’
Bobby was cheered on in the Strictly studios by dad Jeff, stepmother Kate Dwyer and Freddie.
During the final, Bobby’s emotional tribute dance to his late mother left his family sobbing.
Actor Bobby was only five when Jade, who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother’s Day in March 2009.
He chose to perform the routine again with his professional partner Dianne Buswell, 34, in this weekend’s final after it was first shown on the show last month, with the screen star also leaving judges Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse close to tears as they gave their comments.
It comes after Jack Tweed said Jade would want her mum to be at the studio to watch Bobby dance on one of the biggest television events of the year.
Jade’s ex-husband added that Jackiey had ‘an absolute right’ to watch her grandson after she was banned amid her feud with Jeff – who she said had been a ‘c**k for nine years’ in an interview with Mail Online earlier this month.
Jack, 36, who helped bring up Bobby with mum Jade before she died of cancer aged just 27, has now called for Jackiey to be allowed to watch.
He told MailOnline: ‘I think it’s only right Jackiey can go to the final. She has played a big part in Bobby’s childhood.
‘I know it’s what Jade would want. She would want peace and everybody to get along.
Jackiey had ‘an absolute right’ to watch her grandson at the Strictly final, her ex-husband husband told MailOnline (Jackiey pictured at her daughter’s grave on Wednesday)
Jack Tweed said Jade would want her mum to be at the studio to watch Bobby dance on one of the biggest television events of the year (Jack and Jade pictured in 2008)
‘I know Jackiey can be outspoken. She speaks before she thinks and Jade was exactly the same.
‘That will never change and it never has. She is who she is and we all know that.
‘But she has an absolute right to be there. It’d be very sad if she isn’t.
‘She is Bobby’s nan at the end of the day. Jackiey would not claim and has never claimed to be perfect.’
Jack urged Bobby to let her watch, as he added: ‘I think it’s the right thing.
‘I think there’s a good chance he will win on Saturday night and it would be very special if she could be there.’
Jackiey refused to comment when approached on Friday.
But was pictured looking heartbroken as she visited Jade’s grave at a cemetery in Epping Forest, Essex earlier this week.
Jackiey sobbed as she polished the headstone and lay images of the reality star with Bobby and his younger brother, Freddie, 19.
One of the images she placed on the grave showed Bobby and dance partner Diane, 34, dancing on Strictly with the words: ‘Doing Jade proud’ laid on top, while she also left childhood shots of the boys.
Because of her falling-out with TV presenter Jeff, maternal grandmother Jackiey has watched him from her home in Bermondsey, south London.
Tensions flared after Jackiey has repeatedly slammed Jeff calling him a ‘c***’ when watching Bobby pick up a gong at the NTA’s and later in an exclusive chat with MailOnline.
Speaking outside her flat earlier this month, Jackiey fumed: ‘When I came out for the NTA Awards, I’m loud and it’s the drink and someone went ‘oh I bet you’re really proud’ and ‘how do you get on with Jeff Brazier’ and I said ‘he’s a c**k’.
Strictly and EastEnders star Bobby with dad Jeff after he won an award at the NTA ceremony
Jackiey at Jade’s home in Essex with her grandchildren Freddie and Bobby in 2009
‘Next minute I’m on the internet and all over the papers. As I came out of the O2, someone overheard me say it, so they sold the story.’
When asked if she said it and why, Jackiey fumed: ‘Of course I said it. I haven’t got a problem with (calling him that).
‘He’s been a c**k for f****** nine years.
‘Bobby doesn’t need that stress on his head. He’s my grandson.’
But Jack, who was married to Big Brother star Jade when she died, said his ex-wife would have been horrified by the comments.
He said: ‘Jade would not want that. She would just want peace for everybody. That is what is important.’
Unlike Jackiey, Jack, who now shies away from the limelight and works as an electrician with his dad, enjoys a good relationship with Jeff.
He said: ‘I get on with Jeff. We’re not close mates and we don’t speak all the time but it’s all very civil and that is the main thing.’
Jack is still in touch with Bobby and Freddie who he spent time with as children before their mother Jade passed away in March 2009.
He gushed: ‘Bobby is absolutely amazing. I see a lot of Jade in him. He has fantastic stage presence and lights up the room and the television when he is on.
‘He has that unique and cheeky personality that Jade had. He’s smashing it and I am very proud of him.
‘It’s the first time I have ever watched Strictly. Jade would be over the moon to see him do so well and would be at every show I am sure.
‘It’s great to see. She would be immensely proud. In the house when he was very young, the music was always on, Jade was always dancing and I am sure he picked up some of it from that.
‘He’s a very confident lad and always has been and I can see Jade in him a lot. He looks like her and carries himself like she does in a cheeky and loveable way.
‘He lights up the room you can tell.’
But Jack has issued a warning to Bobby about life in the limelight after drawing on his own experience and those of Jade.
The pair entered Celebrity Big Brother in 2007 and Jack said ‘snakes’ tried to get close to Jade.
Bobby’s grandmother Jackiey has been banned from Strictly after a fierce row with his dad Jeff Brazier (pictured, Jeff with Jade in 2002)
He described show business as a ‘rough game’.
Jade and Jack outside her home in Waltham Abbey, Essex on February 2009
Jade and mum Jackiey when they appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007
He added: ‘I would say to Bobby to be careful, especially the more successful he gets.
‘I know he has good people around him and he has a good head on his shoulders and his dad Jeff is looking after him.
‘It’s very hard to trust people in that industry. I found people constantly trying to turn you over and out to get you for their own benefit.
‘It’s the nature of the beast. A lot of people were going behind Jade’s back to make money from her.
‘It’s about greed. That world is full of snakes. Bobby I am sure will be careful of that. It is a rough game and I have told him that.
‘Jade had a lot of fake people around her. They were trying to be her mates but did not have her best interests at heart at all.
‘Bobby needs to be careful of that. But he has good people around him and that is what is important. He has the world at his feet.’
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Ellie Leach
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Bobby Brazier
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’
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