Jeff Brazier has heartbreakingly revealed that his family ‘miss and need Jade Goody’ more than ever, as he opened up on how they’re ‘doing their best to cope’. 

The TV presenter, 45, shared both Freddy, 20, and Strictly’s Bobby, 21, with the late Big Brother star who tragically died in 2009 from cervical cancer aged just 27.

In a new interview with The Sun on Saturday, Jeff said: ‘To lose the mother of your children is a huge trauma that, of course, shapes your life. It comes down to the fact that we need her.

‘It’s not just about missing her — we need her as a mother at the moment, and we always have done, in all honesty. I think sometimes it’s termed that she is missed and we’re doing our best to cope.’

He admitted: ‘Sometimes, you have no choice but to look at it and realise we need her at this point.’

The emotional message comes amid Jeff’s legal battle with Jade’s mother Jackiey Budden.

Jeff Brazier has heartbreakingly revealed that his family ‘miss and need Jade Goody ‘ more than ever, as he opened up on how they’re ‘doing their best to cope’

The TV presenter, 45, shared both Freddy, 20, and Strictly’s Bobby, 21, with the late Big Brother star who tragically died in 2009 from cervical cancer aged just 27 (pictured  2008)

The TV star is taking action in an attempt to legally block contact between Freddy, 20, and the mother of the late Big Brother star amid concerns over his welfare.

Jeff has hired a leading barrister for the upcoming hearing which is the latest in part of a long-running feud between Jackiey and Jeff.

Speaking to MailOnline from her ground floor flat in Bermondsey, south east London, last month, Jackiey hit out at the proceedings.

She said: ‘I know what this is all about. It (the situation with Jeff) doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter.’

She asked: ‘Do I want to see Freddy? Of course I do. I see Freddy all of the time. I will see him.’

One neighbour said: ‘I feel sorry for Jackiey. She’s been through so much. It’s a complex situation. I just hope they can be all together again as a family. Her grandchildren mean the world to her.’

They added: ‘How did it come to this that lawyers are apparently involved? She wants to be the best gran she can be to those boys.’

On Sunday it was reported that Jeff has launched legal action in a bid to keep Freddy ‘safe’ from Jackiey.

According to The Sun Jeff is now attempting to block any contact between his youngest son and grandmother, 68, claiming the relationship has been ‘incredibly detrimental’.

Jeff said: ‘To lose the mother of your children is a huge trauma that, of course, shapes your life. It comes down to the fact that we need her (pictured with Bobby,L, and Freddy, R)

He admitted: ‘Sometimes, you have no choice but to look at it and realise we need her at this point’ 

Read More Jeff Brazier posts Mother’s Day tribute to ‘the greatest mum imaginable’ Jade Goody

He is also said to have hired a top barrister for the upcoming hearings with a source insisting Jeff’s actions prove just how ‘concerned’ he is.

In 2021, Bobby confirmed in an Instagram video that he was back in contact with his nan after losing touch.

He said: ‘I didn’t see her for ages – for way too long – but I went to see her twice recently.

‘And honestly if there’s one woman you shouldn’t underestimate it’s my nan. Honestly, she’s like a wizard! It’s nuts.’

During their appearance on Celebrity Race Across The World earlier this year, Freddy had to fight back tears after admitting he struggled to grow up following the death of his mother.

The reality star opened up to his father during an episode of the game show and revealed the effects of the loss.

The emotional message comes amid Jeff’s legal battle with Jade’s mother Jackiey Budden 

Hitting out at proceedings Jackiey said: ‘Do I want to see Freddie? Of course I do. I see Freddie all of the time. I will see him’ 

Jeff told Freddy: ‘What you teach me is what I always need to be reminded and that is to be less serious.’

Freddy then continued, speaking to the camera he says: ‘When me and Bobby lost our mum he had a big responsibility two very young boys who were grieving an that’s not very fun.’

Freddy then replied: ‘I feel like I haven’t given myself the time to grow up because I’ve been holding on to a lot of things that happened to me as a kid.

‘I guess that’s why I’ve still got a playful side.’

Jeff said: ‘You have a wonderful nature, instantly forgiving, wonderfully care free.

‘I often describe you as a better person than me.’

Friends of the family said Jackiey and Jeff, who has looked after the boys since Jade’s death, fell out some years back and have not been able to repair their relationship.

In 2023 Jackiey was banned from attending the Strictly final, where Bobby was pipped to the post by Ellie Leach, amid her ongoing feud with Jeff.

One friend told the Mail: ‘Jeff and Jackiey haven’t got on for a long time and it has been hard. It has meant that Jackiey hasn’t been able to be in the audience to watch Bobby, things are just too bad between her and his father…

After Jade’s death, the two boys – then aged five and four – went to live with their father Jeff, with her mum Jackiey helping him raise them (pictured with Jeff)

Jade’s ex-husband Jack Tweed also said at the time that Jade would want her mum to be at the studio to watch Bobby dance on one of the biggest television events of the year  (seen with Jade in 2006)

‘He and his brother Freddy are her only grandchildren and she adores them, there is nothing she would love more than to be there to watch him live.’

Jade’s ex-husband Jack Tweed also said at the time that Jade would want her mum to be at the studio to watch Bobby dance on one of the biggest television events of the year.

Jack and Jade married in February 2009, just a month before she tragically pᴀssed away.

After her death, the two boys – then aged five and four – went to live with their father Jeff, with her mum Jackiey helping him raise them. 

He told MailOnline: ‘I think it’s only right Jackiey can go to the final. She has played a big part in Bobby’s childhood.

‘I know it’s what Jade would want. She would want peace and everybody to get along.

In September that year, she secretly got tickets to the National Television Awards to watch Bobby get a Rising Star gong for playing Freddie Slater in EastEnders.

There she was recorded branding Jeff a ‘c***’.

One friend told the Mail: ‘Jeff and Jackiey haven’t got on for a long time and it has been hard. It has meant that Jackiey hasn’t been able to be in the audience to watch Bobby

Jackiey addressed the row with Jeff when speaking to MailOnline, she said: ‘When I came out for the NTA Awards, I’m loud and it’s the drink and someone went ‘oh I bet you’re really proud’ and ‘how do you get on with Jeff Brazier’ and I said “he’s a c**k”.

‘Next minute I’m on the internet and all over the papers. As I came out of the O2, someone overheard me say it, so they sold the story.’

When asked if she said it and why, Jackiey fumed: ‘Of course I said it. I haven’t got a problem with (calling him that).

‘He’s been a c**k for f****** nine years.

‘Bobby doesn’t need that stress on his head. He’s my grandson.’