02 December 2023 , 18:43
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Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier’s grandmother, Jackiey Budden, has opened up about her seeing the young actor excel on the show.
The 20-year-old EastEnders star has been a favourite to win the Glitterball Trophy since the beginning of the 2023 season of Strictly. He is paired with dance professional Dianne Bussell, 34, and together they have waltzed, skipped and foxtrotted their way to the quarter-finals.
Away from Strictly and his soap work, Bobby is famous for being the eldest son of late reality star Jade Goody - who died aged 27 in 2009 following a brave battle against cancer. Shipwrecked star Jeff Brazier, 44, is the father of Bobby and Big Brother star Jade’s other son Freddie, who is aged 19 - and he welcomed his sons during his short romance with Jade which lasted from 2002 until 2004.
Celebrity Big Brother star Jackiey, 66, is the mother of Jade and thus the grandmother of Bobby and Freddie - and she has been delighted to see her eldest grandson soar to success on Strictly. She has also recently opened up about the close relationship she has formed with her grandson.
Jackiey Budden has shared her joy at the fact her grandson has reached the quarter final of Strictly (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Bobby could yet win Strictly 2023 (Shutterstock)Speaking to the MailOnline, Jackiey gushed: “I’m very, very proud of Bobby. He is doing amazing. It's great to see. I watch as a very proud nan. It's wonderful. Of course, I am pleased he is doing well.”
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
Jackiey’s latest update comes after she previously expressed her joy at seeing Bobby on her TV screen and on the Strictly dance floor. As a big fan of the BBC show, the grandmother was only too happy to learn Bobby would be on the show when the stars of the 2023 season were announced back in August.
She told the Mirror at the time: “I’m over the moon and he’s just stepped in his mum’s shoes — he’s in Jade’s trotters. He’s been born to bring Jade back as himself because he’s the spit of Jade — he’s got his daddy’s head. It will be like watching her on telly."
Jackiey is the mother of late reality star Jade Goody and they both starred on Celebrity Big Brother in 2005 (Channel 4)
Jade died in 2009 when Bobby and his brother Freddie were toddlers (Getty)She also explained that Bobby’s busy work schedule often kept him away from her - giving her even more reason to tune in each Saturday and Sunday to see Bobby from her home. Bobby often has to get up before dawn and gets home late at night due to filming commitments on EastEnders - where he has been playing Freddie Slater since 2022.
Jackiey explained: “He has to get up at 5am for EastEnders sometimes, so he’s always on the go. We always text though which is lovely. He likes to keep an eye on his nana, just like Freddie does.”
Bobby and his dance partner Dianne are overjoyed to have made it through to the quarter-finals - which have a ‘Musicals’ theme. The pair will perform a salsa while dancing to the iconic song (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life from the hit musical Dirty Dancing.
Teasing the performance on Friday night, Dianne declared via Instagram: "Tomorrow night it’s Bobby Swazier and baby buswell dancing the salsa... we hope you love it !! we have worked our hips off this week ! with the help of the wonderful @jennytaps1 and @sean.moon we also have the incredible extra dancers who are all just amazing."