Inside Freddy & Bobby Brazier’s ‘tough’ relationship with mum Jade Goody’s widower Jack Tweed after emotional struggles
THEY spent the first few years of their life being brought up with Jack Tweed.
But after mum Jade Goody’s tragic death 16 years ago, Freddy and Bobby Brazier went to live with their dad Jeff.
Jack, now 37, suddenly found himself on the outskirts of their lives, but his love and concern for the boys has remained the same.
After a difficult few years, which saw him struggle with boozing and being arrested, Jack now has a close friendship with both of them.
But he admits the connection has been tougher on Freddy, 20, who was just one when he met Jack.
Jack told us: “With Freddy, I haven’t seen him for a while because I think it was tough for him. Where I’m mostly connected to his mum, I think it was a bit tough for him to see me because it would bring back a lot of memories.”
“It was hard for him, but I think he’s ready and in the right place for me to see him, so I have been speaking to him quite often lately.
“We are sorting out when we’re going to meet up, go for some lunch or something.”
He continued: “The whole life he’s shared with his mum has been with me as well, so a lot of the memories of his mum and us together would be from me.
“He struggled too – I think with a lot of people like myself, I struggle to talk about it quite a lot. He wasn’t ready for the memories, but I think he’s ready now.”
Despite Freddy’s struggles, Jack has been in touch with him recently – admitting he’s “not in a good place”.
He revealed they spoke for hours on the phone after good friend James Argent reached out to him.
Jack’s relationship with Bobby has been easier.
He said: “A couple of years ago, I was with Bobby quite a lot, but now obviously he’s gone into EastEnders and he’s working quite a bit and doing what else he’s doing.”
A few years ago he spoke about his connection to the boys, telling us: “I’ve never tried to replace their dad, I know that I’m not their father, but they know that if they ever need anything, they can speak to me.
“It makes me feel a lot closer to Jade when I talk to them, and I know she would be so happy that we are close again.”
Jack and Jade’s romance
Jack and Jade married in February 2009, just one month before she died from cervical cancer.
The pair first met back in 2006 when Jack was 18, but he told Jade he was much older.
He became a huge part of Freddy and Bobby’s lives and lived with them until Jade’s death, when they were four and five.
His access to the boys was limited following her passing as he struggled with his emotions.
But by 2019, he was once again allowed to spend time with them.
Jack has previously said that he respected Jeff’s decisions to restrict access, telling Ok! Magazine: “Jeff stopped me from seeing the boys. At that time, I was getting into trouble and I was off the rails — so Jeff was probably right to do that.”
“Now he’s seen I’ve sorted myself out, so he got in touch and said the boys had been asking about me.
“They came around to mine for tea and Jeff was there so it felt like an awkward first date!” Jack told Ok! Magazine.
Jeff’s legal row
Over the weekend Jack spoke out about Freddy after it was revealed that Jeff, 45, is fighting to prevent him from seeing his grandmother, Jade’s mum Jackiey Budden.
An insider has alleged their relationship has been “detrimental to him”.
Last week The Sun revealed Jeff has hired a leading barrister for an upcoming hearing.
During last year’s BBC show Celebrity Race Across The World Freddy spoke openly about his challenges with mental health and his relationship with his father who brought him up since losing his mum in 2009.
He said of his relationship with his dad on the programme: “At times where I’ve pushed him away he has pulled even harder to pull me back in.
“I don’t think I praise my dad enough for everything he has done for me but he knows the love.”
Freddy, who lives with bi-polar disorder and ADHD – regularly stays with gran Jackiey in South East London and previously posted a video on TikTok of himself openly taking drugs at her flat in Bermondsey.
Recently Freddy also posted a video of her making a foul mouthed rant at him where she is quoted as saying; ‘’Do you hear me? Don’t f***ing do it no more, don’t Fred, Please don’t. Don’t f***ing talk to me like you talk outside, if that’s the case f*** off. Yeah f*** off.’’
How to protect yourself against cervical cancer
CERVICAL cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women in their early 30s, with around 3,200 new cases and 850 deaths each year in the UK.
According to CRUK, the five-year survival rate is around 70 per cent – and the earlier it is caught, the better.
Cervical screening programmes and HPV vaccines have reduced rates and save 4,000 lives each year.
It is vital you attend your smear test and get jabbed when invited, and that you know the symptoms of cervical cancer to look out for.
These aren’t always obvious, and they may not become noticeable until the cancer has reached an advanced stage.
But you might notice:
- Unusual bleeding (often after sex, between periods, or after the menopause)
- Pain and discomfort during sex
- Vaginal discharge (often unpleasant smelling)
- Pain in your lower back, between your hip bones or in your lower tummy
Women are invited to have regular cervical screenings between the ages of 25 and 64. How often depends on your age.
The HPV vaccine, which helps protect against the virus, is recommended for children aged 12 to 13 and people at higher risk from HPV.
Source: NHS and Cancer Research UK