Jeff Brazier shared a heartfelt tribute to Jade Goody on Mother’s Day, expressing how much he and their sons, Bobby, 21, and Freddy, 20, still miss and need her.
The TV presenter also took a moment to thank his wife, Kate, along with close friends and family, for their unwavering support in raising the boys since Jade’s passing on Mother’s Day in 2009.
Sharing photos of himself and Jade, Jeff penned: “To the greatest mother imaginable to be cruelly denied the privilege of seeing her children long into adulthood.
“Anyone taken from loved ones is sorely missed but I’d have to admit we have needed you ever since and still do to this day.
“It was too big a job for me alone but thankfully we have a strong dependable village around us.”
The broadcaster acknowledged “the heroes that have picked us up” over the years but notably did not mention Jade’s mother, Jackiey Budden.
Jackiey, 68, was involved in helping raise Bobby and Freddy after Jade’s death, but she and Jeff have had a strained relationship throughout the years.
Recently, it was reported that Jeff is pursuing legal action to prevent Freddy from having contact with his grandmother in an effort to “keep him safe.”
Instead, Jeff paid tribute to his own mother and Auntie Leslie, praising them for being “there for us in every way especially those early days and beyond. It’s hard to imagine coping without them.”
He said of his wife Kate, whom he married in 2018: “My wife Kate and I can be really proud of how we’ve grown and risen to the challenges. She’s the first person i confide in when i need to figure something out or vent and her support has been a constant throughout.”
He continued: “The Godmum’s, Jades friends, have been a constant source of time, love and comfort always checking in, going above and beyond.
“Happy Mother’s Day to Kate’s Mum Debbie and Kate’s Auntie Lisa. They have been amazing with Bob & Fred but I’m particularly grateful for our memories of Safari & how they kindly welcomed us in to their Christmas plans for the last 11 years making a difficult time feel special.
“My friends Dawn, Chantelle & Karen deserve a massive Happy Mothers Day too. Invaluable support, each of them have given my children so much over the years.
“It’s a team game parenting so Happy Mother’s Day to the hero’s that have picked us up, carried us, and continued to hold us in mind.”
The post comes after Jackiey Budden spoke out amid her reported legal dispute with Jeff.
The former Shipwrecked star is said to be seeking to block contact between model Freddie, 20, and his maternal grandmother Jackiey— the mother of the late Big Brother star.
An insider has claimed their relationship has been “detrimental to his wellbeing.”
In light of the dispute, Jackiey broke her silence last week and said she wants to see her grandson.
MailOnline reported that Jackiey, speaking from her Bermondsey home, said: “I know what this is all about. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.
“Do I want to see Freddy? Of course I do. I see Freddy all of the time. I will see him.”
Jackiey has previously hit out at the 45-year-old calling him a “c**k” after sneaking into the O2 Arena to watch grandson Bobby win his first National Television Award.
She admitted they have never liked each other but insisted she has always been there for her grandsons.
The reported legal move comes 16 years after Jade died from cervical cancer at the age of 27, when Freddie was four and his brother, EastEnders actor Bobby, was five.
A source close to the family told The Sun: “This is something Jeff and anyone who cares about Freddy hopes will help keep Freddy safe from a relationship that has been incredibly detrimental to his wellbeing for a long time now.
“The fact that he is going down this route shows how concerned we all are and how our efforts to keep Fred safe are being grossly undermined by other people.”
