Jade Goody: A life lived in the spotlight
As Jade Goody's family struggles to come to terms with the loss of a young wife and mother whose spirit in the face of cancer touched the nation, they are being comforted by the thoughts and prayers of millions.
Her sons were gently given the devastating news by their father Jeff Brazier, who told them: "Mummy has gone to heaven".
Floral tributes began piling up shortly after her mother Jackiey Budden announced that the 27-year-old slipped away at 3.14am on Mothering Sunday with her husband of four weeks, Jack Tweedy, at her bedside, along with close friend Kevin Adams.
Standing in the first light of day still wearing her pyjamas and her face stricken with grief, Mrs Budden told reporters: "My beautiful daughter's at peace".
Her grandchildren, Bobby, five, and four-year-old Freddy, were being cared for by Jeff. "I am devastated to learn that Jade has sadly left us on Mother's Day," he said.
"I am grateful the boys were able to say their goodbyes and spend that precious time with their wonderful mother.
"Bobby and Freddie are my absolute priority now. I will be doing everything I can to be their rock and to give them all the love and support to get them through a confusing and upsetting time."
Gordon Brown led the tributes to the star, saying he was "deeply saddened" by her death, while Shilpa Shetty, Jade's Big Brother colleague, said she was glad her friend was out of pain.
But it was the notes and messages from the public that summed up the former dental nurse's appeal. Referring to one of her on-screen gaffes, Marjorie Loftus, 78, from Barnet, north London, wrote on a card: "You may not have known where East Anglia was but you knew the way to our hearts."
And her daughter Jacqui, 42, had added: "The girl from Bermondsey did good".
Preparations have begun for a funeral her publicist Max Clifford said would be the final "Jade Goody Production", with screens relaying the service to members of the public gathered outside St John the Baptist Church in Essex.
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
