Freddy Brazier, the son of Jeff Brazier and the late Jade Goody, has bravely opened up about his mental health struggles. The TV star also gave advice for those struggling with epilepsy as he does, and was “happy to get on board” by making a video to raise awareness of the issues.
In the TikTok video – filmed before his dad Jeff launched a legal proceedings to stop Freddy seeing his grandmother Jackiey Budden – Freddy, 20, filmed himself at home as he spoke to the camera on behalf of an epilepsy awareness account. “I’m Freddy Brazier,” he began.
“Some might know me for my harsh mother Jade Goody, the Big Brother star some would say. Or my father Jeff Brazier the TV presenter, known for multiple things – couldn’t tell you,” Freddy said while laughing.
He then referred to the BBC show he’d done with his dad, exclaiming: “And if you’ve watched Race Across the World you might also know me from there! The absolute legend from Race Across the World.”
Freddy’s tone soon changed, as he spoke about the more serious issues he was facing. “Just coming on to say that seizures – or any illness – shouldn’t be made a joke or something to laugh about,” he said.
He then revealed: “Me myself, I suffer from serious mental health, and I’ve got ADHD and bipolar. And it’s not nice when people want to belittle you or talk down on you because of it.”
The young man moved out into the garden as he finished the video, smiling as he advised: “For more information about seizures and whatever else, visit this account. Hope it helps.”
In the comment section of the video, the account holder revealed that after they reached out to Freddy, he was “happy” to help and “offered to do the video straight away.”
Many fans were equally impressed with his honesty while talking about his mental health and epilepsy. “You are a star, you are helping so many for talking out,” one person said, with another adding: “You are a voice for all young men keep up the good work.”
“Well done for speaking out mate,” a third praised. Another fan penned: “Be proud of yourself to open up and help young lads or anyone really.”
Prior to revealing his diagnoses with bipolar disorder and epilepsy, Freddy spoke about how he’d coped after being diagnosed with ADHD when he was just 10.
He admitted that it was tough to concentrate at school, and said that he never meant to cause a disruption. Freddy summarised: “I don’t think I was bad but I weren’t good.”
Dad Jeff then took over and spoke directly to the camera, praising: “I couldn’t hazard a guess on how Fred’s mind works but I know he’s going to do something amazing in his lifetime.”
It comes amid reports that Jeff is planning to launch legal action to stop Freddy from seeing his maternal grandmother Jackiey Budden – citing concerns over the negative effects the relationship has had on Freddy’s well-being. Jackiey has long had a strained relationship with Jeff, who dated Jade for two years and shared sons Freddy and Bobby, 21, with her.
In recent days, it has been claimed that Jeff has consulted lawyers in a bid to prevent the young model and TV star from seeing Jackiey. Following the reports, Jackiey responded: “I know what this is all about. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter.”
Freddy and Jeff’s relationship is said to have deteriorated in recent months, with Freddy leaving their family home to stay with Jackiey in Bermondsey, London.
“Freddy will often turn up on the doorstep, sometimes very unhappy, and wanting to see his nan,” a source claimed of their closeness.
A source said of Jeff’s reported case: “Freddy needs support from the right people, as he struggles – he lost his mum at 4 years old, so anyone would struggle with that. And maybe Jackiey isn’t the right person to do that if she’s in a vulnerable position herself.”
Jackiey has previously been open about her own struggles, explaining that she fell into drug addiction after losing the use of her left arm in a motorbike crash.
The ongoing drama in Freddy’s family comes sixteen years after Jade tragically died of cervical cancer aged just 27, when Freddy was just four and his EastEnders star brother Bobby five.
A source spoke exclusively to the Mirror, and said that Jade would be horrified to hear of her family falling apart. “Jade would be absolutely mortified and heartbroken by what’s happening now,” they claimed. “She knew her mum could be hard work but she loved her, and she was a very big part of Jade’s life.”
Freddy has admitted that he rarely opens up about his feelings about the loss of Jade. “I lost my mum when I was four and that was on Mother’s Day, which is really hard. I don’t really like showing my emotions,” he previously said.
“I don’t even speak to my dad much about my mum either. I just avoid it. I prefer to bottle it up. I don’t want to feel like I’m a burden to them.”
Jade died on March 22, 2009, after multiple cancer scares. In 2004 she was tested for ovarian cancer, and in 2006 for bowel cancer. Both came back clear. She had also had abnormal cells removed three times over the years.
More abnormal cells were found, and she went on to have two miscarriages after welcoming her boys alongside being rushed to hospital and kept for a week. She was then given the all clear to travel to India to take part in the Indian version of Big Brother, Bigg Boss, and took a smear test just before flying out.
Jade only lasted a few days on the show before getting the news that she had cervical cancer, and quickly returned home. Doctors initially thought she had a high chance of making it through, but her condition was soon deemed terminal. Jade was even encouraged to sue the NHS but refused, and ended on a high note by marrying Jack Tweed just one month before her death.
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