Freddy Brazier made a sad admission about his family life as he journeyed across the globe with his dad Jeff on a gritty TV competition. Last year saw 20 year old Freddy and his father take on the adventure of their lives, joining Celebrity Race Across the World. The Braziers were tasked to traverse an epic 12,500km from Brazil to Chile for the BBC programme, relying solely on their wit instead of smartphones or air travel. The dynamic duo faced stiff competition and ultimately clinched third place, behind radio superstar Scott Mills and his partner Sam Vaughan. But the challenge wasn’t just about crossing finish lines—it was also a journey of father-son bonding during this extraordinary escapade.
Jeff is dad to sons Bobby and Freddy
(Image: Instagram/jeffbrazier)
Amidst the twists and turns of their travel trials, tension emerged as they discussed money. Freddy held back from mentioning that he wanted to buy food. To this, his father remarked: “You don’t have to do things on the quiet, surely it only makes life easier for us as a family if we’re all just honest,”, reports the Mirror. Freddy countered: “I don’t think we are even open as a family though, I stay quiet because I feel like that’s what everyone else does.” This led Jeff, 45, to question: “Are you joking? Freddy, don’t be unfair, what have I done for the last seven or eight years?”. To which Freddy quipped: “Talking”. Jeff replied: “Right, well don’t say that I don’t, take responsibility that’s part of this,” and then he strode away. Having lost his mum, Jade Goody, to cervical cancer when he just four years old, Freddy and his elder sibling Bobby, now 21, grew up with their father. Jeff recently opened up about his bond with Freddy while discussing their time on Celebrity Race Across the World. He revealed to Radio Times magazine, “I’ve got a real confidence in my relationship with Fred, and I knew it would take something absolutely huge to make us fall out.” He added: “Then you’re introduced to the limitation of the language barrier and the problems begin!” In an emotional turn during their journey, Freddy expressed deep gratitude towards his dad, saying: “When me and Bobby lost our mum, he had a big responsibility to very young boys who were grieving and that’s not very fun.” At the time of the show, it was alleged that Jeff and Freddy’s relationship had its highs and lows. Arguments between the pair could reportedly get so intense that Freddy would leave the family home to stay with his grandmother Jackiey Budden. According to MailOnline, a source stated: “Freddy will often turn up on the doorstep, sometimes very unhappy, and wanting to see his nan.” They added: “He and Jeff often argue, the rows can be bad, things go really, really pear-shaped between them and that’s it, he leaves.” The source further claimed: “While Jackiey has her issues – and will be the first to admit she isn’t the most perfect or archetypal grandmother – he can share his feelings with her which is something he can’t do at Jeff’s.” Now, Jeff has allegedly launched legal proceedings to stop Freddy from seeing his maternal grandmother. The Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins star is said to be attempting to restrict contact between Freddy and Jade’s mum. A source reportedly told The Sun: “This is something Jeff and anyone who cares about Freddy hopes will help keep him safe from a relationship that has been incredibly detrimental to his wellbeing for a long time now. The fact that Jeff is going down this route shows how concerned we all are, and how our efforts to keep Fred safe are being grossly undermined by other people.”
Freddy previously discussed his father’s “big responsibility” following the death of their mother
(Image: Getty Images)
Jeff and the mother of Freddy, Jade, started their romance shortly after her rise to stardom on Big Brother in 2002. Just three months into their relationship, they were thrilled to discover that Jade was expecting their first child. Their son Bobby made his entrance into the world in June 2003. However, a year later, the couple decided to part ways. Not long after their breakup, Jade found out she was pregnant with their second child, Freddy. Despite giving their relationship another shot, it wasn’t meant to be, and they called it quits when Freddy was just six months old. Tragically, in August 2008, Jade was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She passed away the following year on Mother’s Day, at the tender age of 27.
