Jade: a very public, private affair

REALITY TV star Jade Goody has dominated the front pages with her battle against cancer.

But is the 27-year-old right to make such a private tragedy so public as she looks to raise money from publicity over her terminal illness to give her two young sons a secure future?

Richard Hooton asked shoppers in Chadderton whether the former “Big Brother” contestant should have opened up her suffering to so much exposure.

REALITY TV star Jade Goody has courted controversy ever since bursting on to our screens in “Big Brother 3” in 2002.

But there was sadness when the young mum was diagnosed with cervical cancer and told she had just weeks to live after the disease spread.

With the help of publicist Max Clifford, Jade has been determined to make money to pass on to sons Bobby (5) and Freddie (4) — with every aspect of her illness played out in public. Her wedding to Jack Tweed (21) made close to £1million in broadcast and magazine rights.

Experts say the publicity has raised awareness and is helping save lives as more women are attending cancer screenings.

But people in Chadderton were mixed over whether Mrs Goody is doing the right thing.

Lisa Flynn (25), from Chadderton, has gone through a similar experience and also has two young sons, James (3) and Daniel (six months).

Her first smear test discovered pre-cancerous cells, which can turn cancerous, on her cervix.

She said: “They think they have caught it in time. They said it should be fine but I’m waiting for a biopsy. It’s just a shock as I’m only 25. You don’t expect it.

“It’s hard for me to see it (Jade Goody’s illness) constantly in my face. It’s not good for people going through a similar thing.

“I avoid watching TV at the minute and the magazine aisle in shops as it reminds me.

“I think if she feels that’s how she will get through it that’s brilliant but it’s not for everyone.

“I personally would want to spend all the time I have left with my children, not doing interviews. That’s more important than getting money. That’s my opinion from a mum’s perspective. I would tell people to go and get things checked if they are worried.”

Patricia Stott (60), from Chadderton, said: “I think up to a point yes, you can understand the reason to do it. It’s all she knows and it’s the future for her children.

“But it’s time to call it a day now and go into the background quietly and for the family. No one needs to see her dying.

“It’s far too much now and gone too personal. It should be kept within the family and close friends and that’s it.”

John Jackson (69), from Chadderton, said: “I think she should be more private. It’s money all the time and her new husband is going to benefit by this.

“There’s other people dying without all this publicity.

“It’s hard on the girl but she’s had no talent and has made a lot of money. She can’t help herself.”

Lee Chester (36), from Chadderton, said: “I think she should be left alone. She should stay out the papers.

“A lot of people don’t want to know about her. I want more proper news, like football.

“It’s a bad thing that’s happened to her but not everyone wants to know.”

Emma Goodall (20), from Chadderton, who has two children, Olivier (2) and Aleya (10 months old), said: “She should keep it more private. There’s other people that get cancer and they don’t flaunt it all over the papers. She’s already got enough money.”

Peter Ashworth (62), from Diggle, said: “It’s up to her entirely. I don’t bother reading it. I think it’s up to her how she conducts herself.”

Joanne Hilton (37), from Middleton, said: “I think it’s entirely up to her. If she’s happy for people to see all that then fair enough. I feel sorry for her really and think earning money for her children is a good reason.”

Adam Knagg (27), from Chadderton, said: “I think she’s right. I think everyone in her situation would do it. She is looking after her children, she’s not doing it for herself. But it has got a bit too much. Every time she has a different pill it’s publicised.

“That’s the way it is because she’s lived her life through the press. I have never watched ‘Big Brother’, I know her through reading the newspapers.”