20 February 2024 , 11:05
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Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier is "caught in the middle" of the reignited tug-of-war between his father Jeff and his maternal grandma Jackiey Budden.
The 20-year-old son of TV personality Jeff Brazier and the late Jade Goody is at the centre of tension between the pair after Jackiey, 67, reportedly called Jeff a "c**k" in a new interview. According to a source, EastEnders star Bobby is now feeling "stuck" between the warring pair because he is incredibly close to his dad who became his sole parent after Jade died in 2009.
"The feud between Jackiey and Jeff is really hurtful for Bobby, it's never been an easy relationship," the source told OK! . "But it's tough for Bobby because he did really get on with his grandma in the early years and she was a big part in both boys' lives."
Bobby's emotional NTA acceptance speech brought his dad Jeff and the rest of the audience to tears (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock for NTA)
Jade's mum Jackiey used to have a close relationship with her grandsons (Daily Mirror)"He feels really caught in the middle but Jeff is his dad, after all. This has created a dark cloud over the family and it's tough for Bobby as it keeps coming into the spotlight since he's done so well with his career recently."
In her latest interview with a national newspaper, Jackiey claimed that she and Jeff "don't get on," but said she hoped Bobby would soon reach out to her to "repair" things. "I miss Bobby, and hope that maybe once he moves out of Jeff's house to his own place he'll feel he can see me again and we can go back to how we used to be," she said.
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Bobby, who now towers over his dad at over 6ft, was just five when his mum Jade died seven months after she was given a devastating cervical cancer diagnosis.
The Bermondsey-born TV star, who was just 27 when she lost her cancer battle, became a household name after appearing on Big Brother in 2002. She then met Jeff, now 44, and the couple had Bobby and his younger brother Freddie, now 19, before splitting up in 2004.
Jackiey blames her distant relationship with her two grandsons on their father, our source claimed, leaving Bobby feeling stuck in the middle. "Jackiey feels her lack of relationship with the boys now is down to Jeff and sometimes says things without thinking," they said. "While Bobby doesn't want to be seen taking sides, it's difficult for him to hear what she says."
"He feels really torn because he lives with his dad and always praises him, but he does love them both."
In 2012, Jeff, who married PR executive Kate Dwyer in 2018, accused Jackiey of creating a "them and us" situation, and said her spending time with the young boys came at a "slight cost".
In a revealing personal blog, he talked about the "numerous pitfalls and stumbling blocks" in the way of maintaining an amicable relationship with Jackiey after his split from Jade. But he added "the boys love her so much and I truly believe she makes them feel closer to their mum than I ever could."
By 2021, things seemed to have improved after a few years apart, with Bobby saying on his social media that he was back in touch with his nan after "too long". Responding to a fan's question about their relationship, he said, "Yeah. 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."
But after Bobby won over the nation thanks to his stint on Strictly with pro partner Dianne Buswell last year, the upset in the family reared its head again on what should have been a happy occasion.
When the young actor took home the Rising Star award at the National Television Awards in September, he reduced the audience to tears with his emotional acceptance speech, saying, "This actually has very, very, very little to do with me and everything to do with my dad."
But the happy moment was later marred by reports that Jackiey had bought herself a ticket to the event, but Bobby and his dad were unaware that she was sat in the audience as he accepted the award.
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According to newspaper reports, she was overheard describing Jeff as a "c**k", but said she'd wait until Bobby and Freddie were older "before I let rip". Our source said Jeff would support Bobby whatever he decides and will do whatever it takes to look after his sons.
"Jeff is a tough character too and he's doing all he can to protect his sons, and their careers. He doesn't want this to ruin anything for Bobby."