Jeff Brazier left Celebrity Race Across The World viewers in tears as he opened up about helping his sons Bobby and Freddy after the death of their mum.
TV personality Jade Goody tragically died in 2009 aged 27 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer the year before. Bobby was aged just five when she died, while Freddy was four.
In emotional scenes during Wednesday’s episode of the BBC show, in which Jeff is participating with Freddy, the father spoke candidly about raising his boys after his ex’s death.
‘I think when the boys lost their mum I really doubled down on putting all of my time, effort, attention, focus on my children,’ Jeff said.
‘I needed to be there, helping them to navigate whatever the future was going to look like for them given their loss. And I’m still playing that role.
Jeff Brazier left Celebrity Race Across The World viewers in tears as he opened up about helping his sons Bobby and Freddy after the death of their mum in Wednesday’s episode
In emotional scenes during Wednesday’s episode of the BBC show, in which Jeff is participating with Freddy, the father spoke candidly about raising his boys after his ex’s death
‘But yeah the more Fred does for himself, I know that he can start to push on in life.’
In a later scene, Jeff and Freddy were enjoying a short break to take in the breathtaking views when he did some self-reflection.
‘It’s hard to switch off and sometimes I think I’m being too serious,’ Jeff said. ‘Just everything is my responsibility, and it has been for such a long time, because I think as a man you probably don’t rate your chances of coping, so you do what comes naturally to you which is to take all the responsibility and just focus on the situation.
‘I have absolutely 100 per cent lost the ability to play but I think that it’s something that i need to regain. I think I need Freddie to show me really, and I need to get back to… I need to get back to what I used to be. I’m sure that’s possible.’
The father-son duo shared a sweet moment as Freddie convinced his dad to relax and leave the bags downstairs while they admired the view. Jeff went upstairs to find his son sitting down with a dog.
‘I just wanted you to know that you’re absolutely right,’ Jeff told his son. ‘I need to get better at just relaxing.’
Freddie: ‘After this trip I feel like things could be a lot better than they have been.’
The emotional moments left viewers at home tearing up, as they took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their admiration for Jeff.
‘I think when the boys lost their mum I really doubled down on putting all of my time, effort, attention, focus on my children,’ Jeff said
In a later scene, Jeff and Freddy were enjoying a short break to take in the breathtaking views when he did some self-reflection
Just after the full lineup was revealed , Freddie revealed when asked if he was looking forward to the series that he was excited for the rare chance to spend time with his dad
They wrote: ‘I honestly cannot put into words how much I love Jeff Brazier,’
‘Anyone else crying at Freddie and Jeff Brazier? Because I’m a mess..,’;
‘Jeff opening up on taking things seriously and his responsibility as a father since Jade’s passing. This moment is so heartbreaking. Jeff you’re the best dad to your children and Jade would be proud,’;
‘Jeff Brazier is a great dad. He is teaching Freddie adult responsibility and decision making in a calm and non-judgemental way. Impressive,’;
‘Jeff and Fred. I can’t cope with them. So adorable,’; ‘Jade Goody chose well with Jeff Brazier. He is a really impressive man.’
Speaking in the first episode last week, Freddy – whose brother Bobby, 21, stars in EastEnders and last year reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing – admitted that he is not quite sure what his future holds just yet.
He said: ‘Right now I’m figuring out what I’m going to do with my life.
‘I think that’s quite tough. Who is Freddie Brazier? I don’t know, but I hope the race will help me find who I am’.
The emotional moments left viewers at home tearing up, as they took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their admiration for Jeff
Speaking in the first episode last week, Freddy – whose brother Bobby, 21, stars in EastEnders and last year reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing – admitted that he is not quite sure what his future holds just yet
On the opening episode of the show, Jeff admitted that he was most looking forward to getting to spend some time with his son as they join a host of other famous faces on the reality travel show.
He said: The thing I’m most looking forward to is I feel like I’m going to learn a lot more about my son.
‘He isn’t at home loads and as a result I don’t see loads of him, but the beauty of this trip is that he’s with me and he can’t shake me off’.
But Jeff also joked that Freddie is ‘not the best decision maker’ as he recounted to his son on camera that he had gone off to meet a girl instead of packing for their trip.
He said: ‘One of those moments was last night when you should have been packing for our trip but instead you travelled to see a girl in.
‘Classic Fred.’
