'A Princess Diana from the wrong side of the tracks': Stephen Fry leads tributes to Jade Goody
By
Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:37 AM on 23rd March 2009
Television presenterStephen Fry has compared Jade Goody to the late Princess Diana as tributes poured for the reality star.
Fry joined numerous public figures, ranging from politicians to celebrities, in paying his respects to the 27-year-old, who died following a public battle with cervical cancer in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The QI host said the young mother was 'a kind of Princess Di from the wrong side of the tracks.'
Writing on his Twitter page, he added: 'Poor, dear Jade. She was a fellow guest on [Jonathan Ross's chat show] a year or so back and I warmed to her immensely. All impulsive spirit and smiles. What a life.
'Jade lived life under a magnifying glass. Magnifying glasses magnify (obviously) but they distort and they burn.'
Tributes are pouring in for Jade Goody, who died in the early hours of Sunday morning following a battle with cervical cancer
Prime Minister
Gordon Brown said: 'I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Jade Goody's death.
'She was a courageous woman both in life and death and the whole country have admired her determination to provide a bright future for her children.
'She will be remembered fondly by all who knew her and her family can be extremely proud of the work she has done to raise awareness of cervical cancer which will benefit thousands of women across the UK.
'Every death from cancer is a tragedy and my thoughts go out to her two sons, husband and family at this time.'
Conservative leader
David Cameron, whose six-year-old son Ivan died last month, said: 'I was very sorry to hear the sad news about Jade.
'Her brave fight has raised awareness of this terrible disease and her legacy will be to save the lives of more young women in the future.
Stephen Fry described Jade as 'a kind of Princess Di from the wrong side of the tracks' while Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was 'deeply saddened' by the news of her death
'My thoughts are with her family and particularly her two young sons at this terrible time.'
Other tributes flooded in from a wide range of personalities who had come into contact with Jade.
Simon Hughes, MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey in south London, where Jade grew up, said: 'Jade Goody was a Bermondsey girl who went from public ridicule and public rebukes to public respect and public sympathy.
'The thoughts of millions will today be with her children and family - and with the families of all those whose mothers die young from accident or disease.'
Actress
Shilpa Shetty clashed with Jade when the pair appeared together on Celebrity Big Brother.
Sharon Osbourne described Jade as 'extraordinary' while Simon Cowell said his 'heart goes out' to her family
They later made peace with each other, becoming friends. She told the BBC: 'I am deeply saddened but I am glad Jade is out of pain and that she died peacefully with her family around her.'
X Factor mogul
Simon Cowell said: 'I’m really saddened by this news. My heart goes out to the family. Jack’s coped incredibly well these past weeks.'
Sharon Osbourne added: 'Jade was extraordinary - she captivated the nation.'
“I liked her a lot,' said television host
Jonathan Ross. 'She was funny, smart and seized every opportunity with energy and optimism. I will miss her.'
Prince Azim, the son of the Sultan of Brunei, struck up an unexpected friendship with Jade which attracted much media attention.
He said: 'Jade was a warm and lovely lady. My condolences to Jack and her family.'
The friendship began when he invited Jade and her husband Jack Tweed out to dinner, thinking she would be an interesting person to meet, according to his spokesman.
Fellow Celebrity Big Brother star Shilpa Shetty said she was 'glade Jade is out of pain' while Davina expressed her sympathy for Jade's mother
TV presenter
Phillip Schofield commented: 'Sad but inevitable news about Jade. A terrible shame. Hope the boys are OK.'
Comedian
Mathew Horne wrote: 'I had the pleasure of meeting her a couple of years back at the comedy awards. A charming, kind girl, manipulated and deceived by many. RIP.'
Michelle Dewberry, former winner of The Apprentice, said: 'Sad news re Jade Goody this morning. RIP. My thoughts are with her family and others who are suffering with that terrible illness.'
Employment minister
Tony McNulty told Sky News' Sunday Live: 'It is a very, very sad occasion and my heart does go out to Jade's family.
'I would salute her for the awareness among young women around cervical cancer smear-testing and she does leave a legacy there.'
Mr McNulty said he 'regretted' Jade's comment that she wanted to earn enough money before she died for her children to go to private schools, insisting that there were many good schools in the state sector.
But he added: 'I regret her saying that, but I entirely understand when the whole drive of the last part of her life was her legacy and what she could do for her young children that she said that.'
Jade leaves behind her two sons Bobby and Freddie
Racing pundit
John McCririck, a former Celebrity Big Brother contestant, said it had been a 'running joke' that he was 'more stupid' than the reality star known for her malapropisms, adding 'and in fact I am - look what she's made of her career.'
He told Sky News: 'For so many young girls it was a wannabe wish, they wanted to be like Jade Goody.
'She was a nice person as well, except of course when it came to the Celebrity Big Brother racism row which I think showed a bigger issue in the country.'
He said Goody's success in raising awareness of the need for cervical screening had gone a long way to balance out her lower points.
'How many lives did she save? That justifies her whole existence anyway.'
Speaking on Sky News,
Reverend Jonathan Blake, who officiated at Jade and Jack's marriage ceremony, called the bride 'a saint from Upshire and a princess from Bermondsey'.
He said that she had 'laughed in the face of death and given us a completely different approach to the way we deal with cancer'.
He praised her 'courage, grace and unselfishness', adding: 'The wonder of Jade was that she was raw, honest and genius deep within. Not a superficial person as so much of life is now. She spoke what she thought sometimes to the shock and outrage of others.
Big Brother host
Davina McCall said: 'You can never prepare yourself to lose your baby before you, so I feel very sorry for Jackiey.'
Big Brother producer
Phil Edgar-Jones said: 'It's not unexpected but we are all very, very sad about this day.
'She touched a lot of people because she was very real. She represented an idea that you could get opportunities and if you get opportunities you could make the most of them, no matter where you came from, and I think that's inspired a lot of people over the years.'
He told Sky News: 'She both appalled and enthralled people in equal measure. You had never seen anything like Jade on a prime-time TV show.'
Model and presenter
Danielle Lloyd, who was in the Celebrity Big Brother house with Goody, said: 'I am shocked and upset to hear the sad news about Jade.
'We got to know each other really well over the years. She was a brave and courageous human being.
'I have been praying for a miracle these past few weeks and now she has been tragically taken away from us. I know that her boys will grow up to be great men and do their mum proud.
'Rest in peace Jade, you have touched the hearts of millions and will be sorely missed.'
Fellow contestant and journalist
Carole Malone commented: 'Somehow this girl who wasn't clever or educated has touched us all in a way we could never have imagined.'
She wrote on the News of the World website: 'Jade's life didn't really start till she stepped into the spotlight.
'This troubled young woman who often missed out on love or compassion from her family was, after Big Brother, suddenly getting both from strangers, from her audience, from people in the street.
'Jade Goody showed the world that just because someone has a disastrous start in life, just because they grow up with no money and no hope - don't dare write them off.'
Jade's grandfather
John Caddock, 70, said: 'I am so devastated. Its beyond words.
'She’s gone and part of me has gone too.
'I’m trying to think positive thoughts of all the good times we spent together but I hope she is happy wherever she is.
'I love her very much.'
'A Princess Diana from the wrong side of the tracks': Stephen Fry leads tributes to Jade Goody | Mail Online
Jade Goody tributes from the UK
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