Jade loses cancer battle

Jade Goody died in her sleep today following a public battle with cancer, her publicist Max Clifford said.

The reality TV star died with her mother Jackiey Budden at her side at her home in Upshire, Essex, at 3.14am on Mother’s Day.

“My beautiful daughter is at peace,” Ms Budden said.

Speaking outside her home, wearing pyjamas with a coat over the top, she added: “Family and friends would like privacy at last.”

Referring to how her public battle with cancer has raised awareness of the disease, Mr Clifford said: “I think she’s going to be remembered as a young girl who has, and who will, save an awful lot of lives.

“She was a very, very brave girl.

“And she faced her death in the way she faced her whole life – full on, with a lot of courage.”

He said it was “ironic” that the 27-year-old – who had two young sons Bobby, five, and Freddie, four – had died on Mother’s Day.

Mr Clifford said he hoped Goody’s family would now be left in peace to grieve.

Goody’s friend Kevin Adams, who was also there when she died, left the house visibly upset and dressed all in black this morning. He declined to comment to reporters outside the home.

Goody’s body was taken out of her home and placed in the back of an estate car shortly before 8am.

Mourners started arriving at the house to pay tribute to Goody within minutes of the news breaking. They left floral tributes at the gates of her home.

Mr Clifford later said that Goody's new husband Jack Tweed was with her when she died.

He said: “Jack has been absolutely amazing, nursing her to the end.”

He added: “She died having been in a deep sleep for the past 24 hours. Jack was there and her mum was there.

“It is ironic that she died on Mother’s Day after she was such a good mum, she is a wonderful mum and so determined to secure the best possible future for her boys.”

He said that Goody had told her boys when she and they were christened at the beginning of the month that, “by getting to know Jesus they can stay in touch with their mum.”