Bobby Brazier has said his late mother Jade Goody would be “proud” as he spoke of joining the cast of BBC soap opera EastEnders. The 19-year-old made his acting debut as he appeared in Albert Square on Tuesday (September 6) night taking on the role of Freddie Slater.
His character is the son of Maureen “Little Mo” Slater and was last seen in Walford in 2006, when he and his mother left to start a new life. Freddie, now aged 18, has made a return to Walford and is said, by the BBC, to find "himself on a mission that could end in heartbreak".
Bobby appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain on Wednesday morning in his first TV interview. Speaking to Richard Arnold from the set of EastEnders, he admitted he felt nervous ahead of his new role but that the cast had made him feel “so comfortable straight away”.
During the interview he was asked about his late mother, Big Brother star Jade Goody, and what she would have made of his venture into acting. The reality TV star sadly died in 2009 aged 27 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer.
“She’d be proud. Why wouldn’t she be?," Bobby said: "Anyone that loves and cares about me, all my friends, all my family, they’re all proud and all supportive, so I’m sure – well I know – she’d be the same."
Jade welcomed Bobby and his brother Freddy, now 17, with fellow reality TV star Jeff Brazier. Asked whether his father had given him any tips, Bobby replied before laughing: “No. But he’s happy I’m working consistently and earning and paying rent."
His dad, Jeff, posted a number of pictures of his 19-year-old son on Tuesday with his 170k Instagram followers sharing his pride ahead of Bobby's EastEnders debut. The caption read: "The boy Brazier makes his @bbceastenders debut this evening at 7.30pm. So proud. A wonderful moment for the whole family and anyone that has had this kids back through it all. Thank you for supporting my children.”
Speaking about his new role and joining the iconic fictional Slater family, Bobby said: “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," He added: “It feels like home. I feel like a Slater."
Good Morning Britain is broadcast weekdays from 6am on ITV and ITV Hub. EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday from 7.30pm on BBC One, you can stream episodes over on the BBC iPlayer.
