11 December 2023 , 14:01
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Strictly Come Dancing finalist Bobby Brazier has had the full support of his immediate family since he appeared on the BBC show.
But one person who has been noticeably absent from the Strictly ballroom is his grandmother Jackiey Budden, who is the mother of Bobby's late mum, Jade Goody. And now Jackiey has spoken out over being banned from attending the live shows following her fractured relationship with Jeff after a long-running feud.
When asked about her absence, Jackiey said in a recent interview that it's "just one of those things". Jackiey has let her feelings towards Jeff known in recent months.
Jackiey Budden has spoken out about her ban from Strictly live shows (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Jackiey Budden is still feuding with Bobby Brazier's father Jeff Brazier (Phil Harris / Daily Mirror)During the National Television Awards she made her feelings known to those sat beside her in the audience. According to The Sun, Jackie had bought a ticket the TV awards show and was overheard telling audience members, after Bobby's emotional acceptance speech: "I'm so proud of him [Bobby]. He's incredible. They didn't know I was there. I didn't allow them to know I was there.
"I didn't want to see their dad. He's a c**k. But I'm going to wait until they're older before I let rip." And this would have done little to ease the tumultuous relationship she has with Jeff.
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Jackiey's tumultuous relationship with Jeff has meant she's missed out on seeing Bobby perform live. She told the Sun on Sunday: "Unfortunately I haven’t seen Bobby live. I would have loved to, but it’s just one of those things. I’ve been supporting him from home, watching every moment."
Jeff has solely been looking after both Bobby and Freddie since Jade's tragic death in 2009 after she lost her battle with cervical cancer. And soon after, following a series of arguments, Jackiey has not been able to rebuild her relationship with Jeff.
Bobby Brazier has now made it into the final of Strictly Come Dancing (BBC)Those close to the family 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. He and his brother Freddie are her only grandchildren and she adores them, there is nothing she would love more than to be there to watch him live."
The friend went on to say that it's an incredibly "sad situation" and there is "little chance" of Jackiey being allowed to the Strictly final on Sunday 17 December. The argument between Jeff and Jackie appears to have sparked after Jackiey was accused of buying Bobby and Freddie "unsuitable gifts", leaving him to be the one to put his foot down, which makes him come across as the mean parent.
Speaking to HuffPost, he said: "Late nights and excessive amounts of sugar are a grandparents prerogative and were the least of my concerns. I got a phone call from an excitable Freddy telling me he was now the proud owner of a hamster!
"Great, I feel I have more responsibility than I really know what to do with as it is, let alone introducing a pet into the equation. As I explained to Jackiey, it would have been nice to have been asked because now I've been put into a position where I have to be the mean parent who says no and ruins the fun."
He continued: "This happened before with mobile phones. Yep, a year ago she got them a phone each so she could have direct contact with them both and I don't remember being asked if I minded on that occasion either. I understand she wants direct contact but they are just too young to be carrying these things around responsibly so we keep them to the house. I can't fault Jackiey when she's got the boys, I just wish we could work together a little better."