Bobby Brazier has said his late mother Jade Goody would be “proud” of his EastEnders debut.
Soap viewers were introduced to the 19-year-old’s character Freddie Slater, the son Little Mo, who turned up in Albert Square this week and began watching his mum’s ex-husband Billy Mitchell.
The character of Freddie was last seen in Walford in May 2006 when he and his mother left to start a new life. Now he has returned, aged 18, and finds himself on a path that could lead to heartbreak.
Appearing on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain, the teen spoke to entertainment reporter Richard Arnold following his soap debut.
When asked whether his dad Jeff Brazier had given him any showbiz tips, the model-turned-actor laughed: “No!”
Adding: “But he’s happy I’m working consistently and earning and paying rent.”
Commenting on his resemblance to his late mother, Arnold said: “You’re the spit of your mum as well. I remember your mum, as millions do.
“What do you think she would make of the whole acting caper for you now?”
The teen insisted she would be “proud”, adding: “Why wouldn’t she be?
“Anyone that loves me and cares about me, all my friends and my family, they’re all proud and they’re supporting so I’m sure, well I know, she’d be the same.”
Discussing his new role, Brazier admitted being a Slater doesn’t differ too much from his own family, sharing: “It’s not too different! It feels like home. I feel like a Slater.”
The model admitted he’s been “thrown in the deep end” with his first acting role, but praised the BBC soap’s cast and crew for making him feel at ease.
He explained: “This is completely different to anything I’ve done before. I’ve never acted before. I’ve been thrown in the deep end a bit but I’d like to say I’m swimming.
“There were nerves, but everyone made me so comfortable straight away literally from the first scene.”
Big Brother star Goody, who died in 2009 aged 27 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer, had Bobby and his brother Freddy, now 17, with fellow reality TV star Brazier.
She was an avid fan of EastEnders and in 2006 reportedly petitioned two of its stars to talk to their bosses about securing her a role during a chance meeting at V Festival.
