Bobby Brazier’s grandmother Jackiey Budden has spoken of her heartache at being unable to watch her grandson perform live on Strictly Come Dancing from the studio audience due to a family rift.
The EastEnders actor was hailed as ‘King of the Ballroom’ after scoring a near-perfect 38 out of 40 during Saturday’s semi-final but Jackiey watched the scenes unfold on screen from home.
Soap star Bobby, 20, and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell, 34, wowed the judges with their performance in the penultimate round of the show.
Jackiey, who is the mother of Bobby’s late Big Brother star parent Jade Goody, 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.
Bobby Brazier’s gran Jackiey Budden has spoken of her heartache at being unable to watch her grandson perform live on Strictly Come Dancing from the studio audience due to a family rift (Jackiey pictured in 2019)
The EastEnders actor was hailed as ‘King of the Ballroom’ after scoring a near-perfect 38 out of 40 during Saturday’s semi-final but Jackiey watched the scenes unfold on screen from home (Bobby pictured on Saturday with his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell)
‘I’ve been supporting him from home, watching every moment.’
Bobby and Dianne performed a Quickstep to Mack The Knife by Bobby Darin and a Pasodoble to Run Boy Run by Woodkid – but Jackiey was noticeably missing from a compilation of video messages amid a bitter family feud.
While his uncle, other grandmother and father Jeff sung his praises, Jackiey was noticeably missing.
His first dance saw head judge Shirley Ballas brand Bobby ‘King of the Ballroom’ and his second dance won praise from the judges once again.
Shirley said of his second performance: ‘I can’t cope, it was proud, it was grand, you were down the lens and you kept the atmosphere going. You had some beautiful shapes in there.’
Anton Du Beke said: ‘It was magnificent what I loved is that you stayed in their performance.’
In the end, the pair scored 35 for their second dance.
It comes one day after MailOnline revealed that Jackiey has been kept away from the Strictly audience over a heartbreaking family rift.
Bobby’s father Jeff Brazier (left) dated Bobby’s late Big Brother star mother Jade Goody (right) from 2002 until they split two years later (pictured in 2002)
Ahead of his second performance, Bobby was sent a series of good luck messages from friends and family.
His dad Jeff Brazier had said that getting to the son would be the ‘best Christmas present’ – but his grandmother was nowhere to be seen.
Because of a falling-out with Bobby’s father, Jeff Brazier, his maternal grandmother Jackiey has been unable to secure a seat at any of this series’ live shows.
Poignantly, it meant she missed his emotional tribute to his late mother – and her only child – Jade Goody a fortnight ago.
Friends of the family said Jackiey and Jeff, who has looked after the boys since Jade’s death in 2009, fell out some years back and have not been able to repair their relationship.
Only last week, the 66-year-old described the TV presenter, who has been attending the shows at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire with youngest son Freddy, as a ‘c**k’.
One friend 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 Freddy are her only grandchildren and she adores them, there is nothing she would love more than to be there to watch him live.
Soap star Bobby, 20, and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell, 34, wowed the judges with their performance in the penultimate round of the show (head judge Shirley Ballas pictured)
‘Jeff has been a brilliant father to those boys and has tried to navigate through many difficulties. It is a very, very sad situation. There is nothing Jackiey would like more than to go to the final but there is very little chance of that.’
In September Jackiey was forced to pay for her own ticket to watch Bobby, 20, pick up the rising star award at the National Television Awards.
Jeff has put the fall-out down to Jackiey buying the two boys inappropriate presents such as phones and even a hamster which he has had to confiscate or give back.
In 2021, Bobby confirmed in an Instagram video that he was back in contact with his grandmother after losing touch.
He said: ‘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.’
Meanwhile, Bobby told the Mail how he was inundated with letters following his tribute dance to his mother.
He said: ‘There’s been a lot (of letters). I haven’t opened or read a lot of them but I’ve seen there’s been a lot of people writing.
‘We connected to a lot of people and communicated and translated something and that’s what I wanted to do. I think that’s what happens when you dance authentically and from your heart. I’m really glad that that happened.’
Strictly Come Dancing: The Results airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday at 7.20pm.
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Ellie Leach
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Bobby Brazier
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’
Annabel Croft
Age: 57
Profession: Broadcaster and ex tennis player
Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’
