30 September 2023 , 17:00
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EastEnders star Bobby Brazier has already captured the nation’s hearts after his first “exceptional” performance with partner Diane Buswell on Strictly Come Dancing last weekend.
But aside from the 20-year-old’s clear dancing skills, his performance felt all the more poignant knowing his mum, Big Brother star Jade Goody, wasn’t there to watch her now grown-up son. Bobby was just five-years-old when his mum Jade died from cervical cancer on Mother’s Day in March 2009.
The 27-year-old had become a household name after finding fame on the Channel 4 reality show in 2002, but appearing on a number of subsequent TV shows, faced increased criticism for her perceived lack of decorum and intelligence. Her very public battle with cancer saw public opinion turn and her death shocked the nation - triggering the ‘Jade Goody’ effect by causing an extra 400,000 cervical screenings to be booked across the UK.
Bobby Brazier with his mum Jade in 2006 (REX/Shutterstock)
Jeff Brazier with sons Bobby and Freddie in 2005 (Getty Images)While Jade remains an instantly recognisable and memorable figure, for young Bobby, he has admitted it is much harder for him to feel like he ever knew his mum. Earlier this year, he heartbreakingly admitted that he “doesn’t miss her” because he didn’t have long enough with her as a child.
Speaking to earlier this year about what he remembers of Jade, Bobby - who plays Freddie Slater in EastEnders - said: "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."
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
Jade Goody with her sons Bobby and Freddy (PA)When asked if he "misses" her, Bobby said: "I don’t. Because I don’t feel like I was with her long enough to miss her." On Instagram, the 20-year-old has made reference to his mum in posts, with one caption on his latest modelling shoot saying: “Genes on his side, god in his heart and goody as his guide.”
Before appearing on Strictly, Bobby said he would like to dedicate one of his dance routines to his mum. Speaking to MailOnline at the National Television Awards, Bobby mused over different songs he could dance to for it, saying: "There's a few – it depends on the mood. Saturday Love and also This Woman's Worth by Maxwell - that would be beautiful, I'd hope to make people cry doing that. Maybe I'll dedicate that one [to my mum]. I haven't thought about it, but maybe that one.”
Bobby and Dianne during the live show on Saturday last week (September 23) (PA)On taking part in the beloved BBC TV series, Bobby added that he thinks his mum would be happy for him, telling OK! Magazine: “She'd be happy that I'm doing something that makes me happy. Like all my friends and all of my family, and everyone that loves me is. They're happy for me because they know how much I'm going to enjoy myself and how happy I am to just be here.”
During Bobby’s first live dance on the show last Saturday, his dad, Jeff Brazier, 44, was spotted looking emotional in the crowd as he watched his son’s Foxtrot to All About You by McFly.