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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Jeff Brazier's tear-jerking tribute to Jade Goody 14 years on from her death

Jeff Brazier has paid an emotional and moving tribute to ex Jade Goody on the anniversary of her death.

The TV presenter - the father of the tragic reality star's two teenage sons Bobby and Freddie - has always vowed to protect his boys since taking custody of them following their mum's passing.

Jade died from cervical cancer in March 2009 when she was just 27 years old.

Jeff last year spoke about the "absolute chaos" he faced in the wake of her death, saying he and his sons were thrown into "crisis" 14 years ago.

He took to social media to offer some words on a tough day with an heartfelt post, which was accompanied by a picture of Jade with their two boys.

Jeff took over once she passed away and he's an incredible dad (PA Archive/PA Images)

“14 years ago today,” he wrote in the post. “Hard not to feel flat.

“The boys losing the most loving and protective mother any child could have hoped for at such a young age will never not feel ridiculously cruel.

“The most charismatic, loyal, inquisitive, adaptable and switched on person I’ve known.

“Her strength lives on in her children and I wanted to take a moment to honour her this evening and share that with you.”

Jeff said the family all enjoyed a special moment when the song that Jade had belted out on a celeb version of Stars in Their Eyes randomly came on at the barber shop.

The boys and their dad are very close... (@jeffbrazier)
....and even suffer freezing cold dips together! (Instagram/jeffbrazier)

He explained: “One highlight from today though, I took Fred for a trim at @haychembarbers and shortly after walking in we were greeted by the song ‘Rose Garden.’

“Not one you’d expect to hear too often but it was the song Jade sung on Stars in Their Eyes .

"Fred caught the significance and it was a wonderful moment that proves she’s with them all the way.”

EastEnders star Bobby, 19, and his younger brother Freddie, 18, don't have many memories of her as they were just youngsters when she lost her brave battle with the disease.

He paid an emotional tribute to Jade today (INSTAGRAM)

Jeff said their lives were all turned upside down 14 years ago, but he couldn't be more prouder of them both.

Speaking on GB News with Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster in 2022, he said: “I think, for anyone that loses someone, whether it's a parent, or whether you're losing anyone, you're in crisis, you're in absolute chaos.

“And it's not a time for really sitting there and kind of thinking logically and rationally about your future and what the plan is.

"It's something that takes years to find your feet again, or to even feel like you are sort of even halfway there."

Jade was a force of nature and Jeff says she was a sensational mum (Rex Features)

Speaking to The Times, Bobby said when asked when his memories of her were: "Not a whole lot.

"Maybe memories of memories. I'm always being told about her and what she meant to people. I guess I know my mum through other people's memories of my mum."

Bobby also believed his mum was still around, adding: "Maybe as a guide, maybe as an angel, maybe as a teacher, maybe as a protector."

When asked if he "misses" Jade, the teenager poignantly replied: "I don’t. Because I don’t feel like I was with her long enough to miss her."

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