Jeff Brazier has revealed he neglected his own needs when his ex Jade Goody died and he became a single parent to sons Bobby and Freddie.
The TV personality, 44, famously brought up his sons singlehandedly when their mother, former Big Brother contestant Jade died of cervical cancer at the age of just 27 in March 2009.
Speaking on Wednesday’s This Morning Jeff was giving parenting advice in a call-in segment when he spoke about is own experiences.
Jade’s ex-partner found himself a single father to his boys in 2009, then aged five and four, and vowed to give them the best start possible.
On This Morning a lady named Tina called in for help parenting her grandson and Jeff has some kind words of wisdom for her as he encouraged her to also look after herself while caring for others in the wake of a death.
Tough: Jeff Brazier has revealed he neglected his own needs when ex Jade Goody died and he became a single parent to sons Bobby and Freddie
Hard: The TV personality, 44, famously brought up his sons singlehandedly when their mother, former Big Brother contestant Jade Goody, died of cervical cancer at the age of just 27 in 2009
He said: ‘We forget to think about ourselves. If our cup if full we are a better example to our children.’
‘When the boys lost their mum I reduced myself as a coping mechanism. I made myself so small, career wise, emotionally, to be everything for them.’
‘If I had my time again I wouldn’t have launched myself in with such laser focus, I wish I would have scaled it back a bit and took care of my own basic needs.
‘To be enough you just have to be present and do your best. You see Bobby’s success and what he is doing but honestly I was just present. We don’t have to be everything to a child because they are so resourceful.’
Bobby is currently taking part in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing and is already a firm fan favourite.
The EastEnders actor, 20, gave an emotional performance as he hit the ballroom for the first time with his partner Dianne Buswell on Saturday.
The star performed a foxtrot with the red head as they swept across the dancefloor to All About You by McFly.
And it seems the routine pulled at the heartstrings as Bobby’s dad Jeff shed a tear by the end of the performance as he watched in the audience.
Kind: Speaking on Wednesday’s This Morning Jeff was giving parenting advice in a call-in segment when he spoke about is own experiences
Advice: On This Morning a lady named Tina called in for help parenting her grandson and Jeff has some kind words of wisdom for her as he encouraged her to also look after herself
TV appearance: Jeff joined hosts Holly Willoughby and Ben Shephard on This Morning for Wednesday’s episode
Sad: The Big Brother star passed away at just 27 years old, leaving behind Bobby and Freddie who were just four and five-years old at the time (Jeff and Jade seen in 2003)
As he stood to receive the judges comments, Tess pointed to the father in the audience who was visibly overcome with emotion after watching his eldest son.
Jeff raised Bobby and his brother Freddie, 19, as a single father after Jade’s death.
The Big Brother star passed away at just 27 years old, leaving behind Bobby and Freddie who were just four and five-years old at the time.
Bobby joked earlier this week during an appearance on This Morning that he had never even watched Strictly before signing up for the show and had never heard of any of the dances.
But none of that seemed to matter on Saturday night as he wowed the judges with their sweet foxtrot.
And it’s not the first time Bobby has moved his dad to tears recently after he swelled with pride as his son accepted the award for Rising Star at the National Television Awards earlier this month.
The budding actor is carving out a career for himself on the screen with his role as Freddie Slater on EastEnders.
After his name was announced, Bobby immediately hugged his father, 44, who looked overjoyed at his son’s success.
Bobby credited his win to Jeff while on stage, saying: ‘This has very little to do with me and everything to do with my dad.
‘Over the course of the last 20 years I’ve heard him say, “because I can”. It was a mantra of his and him just saying that, “because I can”. Because I can, why not?’
Earlier this month Bobby opened up about what his late mum Jady Goody would think of him starring in the BBC show.
Bobby, who was five when he lost his mum, said he believes she would be ‘happy’ he’s taking part in the competition, after sharing his plans to pay tribute to her with a dance routine on the show.
Speaking to OK! Magazine, the EastEnders star said: ‘She’d be happy that I’m doing something that makes me happy. Like all my friends and all of my family, and everyone that loves me is.
‘They’re happy for me because they know how much I’m going to enjoy myself and how happy I am to just be here.’
Parent: Jade’s ex-partner found himself a single father to his boys in 2009, then aged five and four, and vowed to give them the best start possible
Amazing: Bobby is currently taking part in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing and is already a firm fan favourite
Overwhelmed: Jeff was visibly overcome with emotion after watching his eldest son dance the foxtrot with Dianne Buswell on Saturday night during the first live show
Bobby has also opened up about how he plans to dedicate one of his dance routines to his late mother.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline at the National Television Awards last week, Bobby revealed the songs he wants to dance to on the show.
He said: ‘There’s a few – it depends on the mood. Saturday Love and also This Woman’s Worth by Maxwell – that would be beautiful, I’d hope to make people cry doing that.’
Bobby added: ‘Maybe I’ll dedicate that one [to my mum]. I haven’t thought about it, but maybe that one.’
This post first appeared on Daily mail
