‘What on earth is happening to him…?’ As Jeff Brazier’s shock outburst rocks ITV, insiders warn fears are growing over the ‘fame-hungry’ star… with those close to him claiming a year from hell is finally catching up with Jade Goody’s widower… - suong
EVER since the death of his ex-girlfriend Jade Goody, Jeff Brazier has been seen as the nation’s golden boy who selflessly brought up their two motherless boys as a single dad.
However, a bitter family feud, fraught legal action and a messy marriage breakdown has slowly chipped away at his picture-perfect image – with insiders claiming his outburst on ITV this week exposed how a year from hell is getting to the “fame-hungry” star.
While his eldest son Bobby’s career has soared on Strictly and EastEnders, troubled youngster Freddy, 21, has found himself spiralling with a drug addiction and went to war with his dad and brother.
Having his troubles play out in public is said to have put Jeff under intense pressure – as he desperately attempts to hold on to his family-friendly reputation.
And now those close to Jeff claim his shock scolding of TV favourite Ruth Langsford has sparked concern behind the scenes.
A source close to the family told The Sun: “Jeff’s always been someone to look up to – a struggling single dad mourning the loss of Jade and just trying to make ends meet to bring up the boys.
“Yes, there have been quiet whispers that he’s a reality TV star desperate to cling on to fame, but he’s always put his sons first – and the past year has been incredibly difficult for him to deal with.
“Work is usually something he thrives in, but the awkward encounter during the ITV competition has shown all’s not well.
“It may have been a poorly delivered joke or the mask slipping. Either way, it’s not done him any favours.”
Jeff left TV bosses gobsmacked after treating Ruth “appallingly” live on Loose Women when he told her off for eating up his air time.
Those watching Monday’s show furiously defended host Ruth, blasting Jeff as “so rude and unprofessional” – with others commenting: “I’ve seen a different side to him I don’t like. We all love Ruth.”
It’s the latest in a long list of blows to hit Jeff over the last year.
Just last week Jeff, 46, announced he is now living apart from his wife Kate after 12 years together.
Freddy’s behaviour is believed to lie at the heart of the split, with the 21-year-old leaving dad Jeff fuming after being pictured with his nan, Jade’s mum Jackiey Budden, smoking a suspicious-looking cigarette.
Jeff launched legal action to block Freddy from seeing his 68-year-old gran – accusing her of being a bad influence.
He reluctantly backed down in the row and vowed to mend his relationship with Freddy, who is expecting his first child with former girlfriend, Holly Swinburn.
‘Career suicide’
Freddy’s ex Holly last week claimed how she had dumped him after he held a 3am drugs party at her home while she was away – admitting life with Jeff’s son was a nightmare.
A spokesman for Freddy said: “We are aware of the claims that have been made and have made the decision not to address them at this time.
“Freddy remains committed to cooperating where appropriate and to making the right decisions for the wellbeing of everyone involved, especially the child on the way.
“We ask that matters are given the space to be handled privately and respectfully.”
Freddy, who lost mum Jade, then 27, to cervical cancer in 2009 when he was just four, heartbreakingly told his followers: “I don’t know how to love because I’ve never been loved.”
Although Jeff’s relationship with Freddy is back on track, the fallout left scars.
Our insider added: “He’s had to deal with a lot of trauma and sometimes that’s bound to take its toll.
“Sadly, despite being on telly for nearly two decades, it’s moments like his outburst on Loose Women that you’re remembered for.
“Jeff has definitely gone down in the estimations of fans who have followed his journey since Jade’s death and praised how he brought his kids up to be a success despite their tough upbringing.
“But recent events have done little to persuade fans he’s got it all figured out at home.
“He’ll be angry that he let himself down. He’s been under intense pressure lately but didn’t want to say no to more TV work.
“Ruth was the last person Jeff should have gone up against – and over such a silly thing. It’s career suicide!”
Slump in work
A year before meeting Big Brother legend Jade, Jeff had his big break on reality TV while appearing on Shipwrecked in 2001.
He also starred in the first series of I’m A Celebrity.. Get Me Out of Here.
The couple became parents to Bobby Jack in 2003, and then Freddy in 2004, but split after two years together.
The year after Jade’s death, Jeff competed on Dancing On Ice – as well as The Jump when the boys were older.
He has been presenting ITV’s competitions on daytime shows Good Morning Britain, This Morning and Loose Women on and off since 2006, but is often replaced by well-known Love Island or Big Brother stars who have massive followings online.
The slump in telly work led Jeff to retrain as a life coach and grief counsellor – before writing a book called The Grief Survival Guide to give advice following Jade’s death.
‘Fame-hungry’ Jeff
But his son Bobby’s rise in the industry helped to bring him back into the fold.
Soon he became a panellist on Loose Men, a spin-off of the female-led show, and earlier this year starred on BBC documentary Pilgrimage: The Road Through the Alps.
Despite claiming to be a mental health advocate through his therapy work, cynical critics say it’s more about securing screentime.
Our source added: “Jeff is one of the most fame-hungry people on TV. He has been fame-hungry his whole life since he bagged a place on Shipwrecked and then The Farm on Channel 5.
“It’s why Jackie, Jade Goody’s mum, hates him because she knows what the real Jeff is like and she’s been desperate to expose him for what he really is.
“His new ambition is to be on Strictly and he has been wooing bosses since Bobby was on the show.
“He would have been feeling extremely confident he had landed that opportunity recently after the split with his wife and becoming front page news.”
But has his outrageous behaviour towards Ruth now ruined his chances at elevating his fame?
Chances blown with ITV?
ITV bosses gave Jeff a dressing down after his outburst at Ruth.
It came moments after complimenting Ruth’s outfit as he hosted ITV‘s Win Grotto competition.
“You look really gorgeous today,” said Jeff, who then snapped when Ruth and the other Loose Women spoke over him as he told viewers how to win £120,000.
He raged: “I’m doing my comp bit guys, let me just carry on.”
Handing back to the studio, he then sternly told the host: “I’m really sorry, Ruth, when I give compliments I don’t want it to eat into my competition time.
“So next time, if I say a nice compliment, don’t say anything back.
“Just say ‘cheers Jeffrey’ and that’ll do me.”
Ruth looked horrified by his demand, telling him: “Listen, whatever” as she held her hands up in the air.
Taken aback, the seasoned presenter then slapped on a smile and added: “Your wish is my command, Jeffrey. Thank you very much.”
The exchange comes after Ruth famously made an official complaint against Phillip Schofield after he rudely interrupted her during a live TV crossover from This Morning to Loose Women in April 2019.
Ruth has no plans to take it any further, however, it was suggested that Jeff take some time off.
He will now have to ride out the backlash and grovel to ITV bosses if he has any chance of being back on screen.
‘I bawled my eyes out…’: Strictly star reveals their tearful backstage meltdown after being forced to quit with a fractured foot — as they take a swipe at Shirley Ballas over that ‘flat-footed’ comment… - suong
A STRICTLY Come Dancing star who was forced to quit the show due to injury has revealed their tearful backstage meltdown.
The BBC reality TV personality, who was the third star of the series left crocked and unable to continue, then told of the swipe she’d dealt to head judge Shirley Ballas, 65.
RuPaul Drag Race favourite La Voix, 45, appeared on Wednesday’s episode of ITV daytime series Loose Women to open up on her emotional Strictly journey.
We previously reported how La Voix would be quitting the series for good after suffering a painful incident in rehearsals – prompting a huge change in the show format.
Originally, the fan-favourite drag queen was given a bye for Saturday November 22’s live show at the iconic Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.
Yet she then told how her issue was too serious to continue, before breaking her silence and admitting she was “absolutely devastated.”
Wearing a green holly-themed dress with her red hair styled perfectly, she told the Loose Women panel of her breakdown and said she “bawled my eyes out in the rehearsal room” when she “realised I was not going to be able to carry on.”
She then confirmed the exact injury she had suffered was a fractured metatarsal, which had left her using a moon boot.
She confessed she did “two weeks on the show without knowing I’d broken my foot.”
La Voix admitted she wore flat shoes for her Couple’s Choice with Alijaz Skorjanec as a result and said: “We had the comment before from Shirley saying ‘you’re flat footed’.
“I thought ‘well yes you do it with a broken foot Shirley!'”
She added: “I couldn’t say anything, do you know what I mean?”
La Voix then told how she thought it was the “repetitive” motion of the Foxtrot routine that had sparked her niggle.
Talking of her expectations of the show she added: “It was so much harder [than she expected].
“It was the most terrifying thing I have done in my life. But also really enjoyable.
“So some weeks, you’re flying high, and some weeks if the dance is really hard, when I got the Cha Cha and I got a two, that stays with you all week.
“You think ‘oh God I’ve got to prove myself.”
La Voix then confirmed she would be heading on the Strictly tour next year.
LA VOIX STATEMENT
At the beginning of Strictly’s special Blackpool episode, show host Tess Daly announced that Ru Paul Drag Race UK star La Voix been forced to exit the competition.
La Voix then issued a statement which read: “I’m absolutely devastated to be withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing.
“This isn’t the glittering exit I ever imagined, and it breaks my heart to feel like I’m letting people down.
“My spirit wanted to keep dancing but my foot had other ideas! Thank you for every cheer, every vote and every sparkle of support – it’s meant the world to me.
“This isn’t the ending I imagined but I’ll cherish this forever.”
RULE CHANGE
La Voix’s premature exit prompted a huge change on the series, with the celebs learning there will be no dance off during that particular week.
Tess broke the news live on-air during last month’s episode and said: “This year Blackpool is going to be even more special.”
She turned to the contestants and said: “Listen up everyone, because we have an announcement.
“We can reveal no-one will be leaving Strictly this weekend.”
The announcement prompted a huge response from the celebrities and pro dancers as they jumped in the air with excitement and hugged one another.
Since then, Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe have been eliminated from the series.
