Jeff and Bobby Brazier have teamed up to raise money for cancer research by appearing on Celebrity Gogglebox.
The father-son duo will appear on the show on Friday night – a Stand Up To Cancer special – where they detail the impact the disease has had on their family.
Bobby, 20, was just five years old when his mother Jade Goody died aged 27 after a very public battle with cervical cancer. His brother Freddie was only four.
Jeff, 44, and Jade were separated at the time of her death, but he has dedicated his life to helping others by talking openly about grief and mental health.
Speaking about their decision to support Stand Up To Cancer, Jeff noted that it is a cause that is ‘incredibly close’ to their hearts.
Good Cause: Jeff and Bobby Brazier team up to raise money for cancer research by appearing on Celebrity Gogglebox
Heartbreaking: Bobby, 20, was just five years old when his mother Jade Goody died aged 27 after a very public battle with cervical cancer. His brother Freddie was only four (pictured in 2006)
He explained: “We understand first-hand the impact cancer has on families.
‘By doing Celebrity Gogglebox for Stand Up To Cancer you are supporting a cause that is incredibly close to our hearts.
‘Cancer affects so many lives, and it is crucial to continue raising awareness and funding for research.
“Through laughter and shared moments, we hope to inspire others to join us in taking a stand against cancer, knowing that every contribution brings us closer to beating this terrible disease.”
Bobby added: “I’m really looking forward to being on Celebrity Gogglebox with my dad.
‘It’s for a good cause, I can’t wait to sit down in front of the TV and relax for once. It’s been a long time since we sat in front of the TV and did nothing together.’
Jeff and Jade split in 2004, not long after their second son, Freddie, now 19, was born.
Some will remember that Bobby and Freddie made angelic appearances as page boys at their mother’s wedding to boyfriend Jack Tweed just a month before she died in 2009.
After their mother’s death, Bobby and Freddie went to live with their father, who made significant changes to their lifestyle.
The celebrity photo shoots went out – he didn’t even allow the boys to attend Jade’s very public funeral – and there was a more considered response to their upbringing.
Strict legal notices were sent to the press asking for privacy for the boys so they could grow up away from the glare of publicity.
Jeff raised them on his own before his marriage to PR director Kate Dwyer in 2018. Today, the brothers credit her for helping raise them.
Jeff explained, “We understand firsthand the impact cancer has on families. ‘By doing Celebrity Gogglebox for Stand Up To Cancer you are supporting a cause that is incredibly close to our hearts’
Romance: Jeff and Jade split in 2004, not long after their second son, Freddie, was born and he has dedicated his life to helping others by talking openly about grief (photo 2002)
Now, fifteen years later, Bobby is back in the spotlight, and after landing a role in EastEnders, he is now delighting the nation with an appearance in Strictly Come Dancing.
Sources say the BBC are so keen for Bobby to make it to the final that they want him to put everything into the show.
“Bobby is a superstar and everyone at the BBC knows that,” said an insider.
‘The BBC knew the nation would fall in love with him and follow every moment of his Strictly journey.
‘But doing the show alongside filming for EastEnders can be really tough, especially in the run-up to Christmas, and it’s exhausting.
‘The fact that EastEnders has released Bobby means he has a much better chance of winning Strictly, which is the aim here.’
Some might say that the broadcaster has essentially distorted the playing field for Bobby’s victory, but still, there’s no doubt that this is a role he’s more than ready for.
Bobby says he doesn’t have many memories of Jade, “because I was so young when she died.”
That said, he admits she gave him a taste of the spotlight, which he says he dreamed of from a young age.
“I think that’s all I wanted as a kid,” he said. ‘When I was younger, I was desperate for that. I spent so much time preparing myself because I started to believe that this could happen and that I could have that.
‘When I was 14, 15 or even 12, I remember having thoughts like that, longings like that. For a large part of my youth, all I wanted was attention.’
On screen: 15 years after his mother’s death, Bobby is back in the spotlight, delighting the nation with an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing (pictured with Dianne Buswell)
Losing his mother when he was so young might have devastated him, but Bobby turns out to be the epitome of happiness.
“I’m always dancing around the house and what not,” he revealed.
He has a lot to be happy about as, say those close to him, he is on the verge of becoming a millionaire.
Celebrity Gogglebox will appear as part of Stand Up To Cancer on Channel 4 on Friday, November 3 from 7pm.
To donate whatever you can, call 0300 123 4444 or text £40 £30 £20 or £10 text FORTY, THIRTY, TWENTY or TEN to 70404. For more information and to donate online, visit Channel4.com/SU2C