Jade documentary horrifies viewers with cruel story of cancer discovery
Many of those watching the Jade Goody documentary The Reality Star Who Changed Britain have discovered the shocking way she learned about her terminal cancer diagnosis for the first time.
The three-part Channel 4 series has reflected on the life and influence of the Big Brother contestant who redefined what it meant to be a reality star, both in positive and negative ways.
In previous weeks, the show has looked at Jade's incredible ability to parlay her success on Big Brother into a successful brand and later her image crumbling in the fallout of the Celebrity Big Brother race row.
This week's final instalment picked up with Jade at her lowest ebb, huddled away from the spotlight as the tabloids barraged her over her feud with CBB housemate Shilpa Shetty.
To rehab her image, Jade signed with celebrity PR agent Max Clifford and agreed to join Shilpa on the Indian version of Big Brother.
"That Shilpa Shetty, that's a good idea, is it? Going to India on your own?" Jackiey remembered thinking. "Jade was up for it, big time."
Shortly into her time in the house, Jade was called into the Diary Room with news from her doctor in London that she'd been diagnosed with cervical cancer.
"I was very mad. I told the production: no camera, no sound," her handler remembered.
Many viewers were totally unaware that this was the way Jade learned of her diagnosis:
(Note: NSFW tweets)
thats shocking telling #jadegoody she had cancer on camera that should of stopped being filmed
— Dionne. (@dionne92x) August 21, 2019
wow I can't believe she was told she had cancer on a reality tv show...fucking hell 😡 #JadeGoody
— Fiona BarrettPalfrey (@Fi_Barrett) August 21, 2019
That's how she found out? :o
I had no idea....😥
FFS, awful, poor woman #JadeGoody
how was that allowed to happen. #Bastards
— Steve Wilson (@swilsonox) August 21, 2019
How the hell did they tell Jade Goody she had cancer in Indian Big Brother whilst filming it? So bad #JadeGoody
— Oscar Knebel (@oscarknebel) August 21, 2019
Whatever you think about #JadeGoody being told you've got cancer on live TV was wrong. Reality television has a lot to answer for.
— Michael (@MichaelCurates) August 21, 2019
Ostensibly those contestants treated her very kindly in India but for dignitys sake, they could have given her some privacy.
Filming crossed a line.#JadeGoody
— Emma Adwoa Sawyerr (@Purple_Worship) August 21, 2019
Announcing #JadeGoody having cervical cancer worldwide on Indian big brother just shows how disgraceful reality TV was, there was no respect, none at all!
— Alisha Tumber (@TumberAlisha) August 21, 2019
Jade tried to carry on her life with a series of media appearances and even a reality show documenting her cancer treatments.
All the while, a News of the World reporter admitted in the film her illness boosted Jade's profile again, going as far as to confess that Max Clifford initiated a bidding war for the first picture of her bald.
The press were disgusting & especially Max Clifford, they exploited Jade when she was so vulnerable #jadegoody
— ❤❤ Loving 50 Shades ❤❤ (@loving50shades) August 21, 2019
The way these people flocked round Jade when she was first diagnosed with cancer is disgusting #jadegoody
— Lily⚡️ (@LilyBurtt) August 21, 2019
This is horrendous the vultures trying to get the money shot and exploit a woman slowly dying - a Faustian pact with the devil 😢#realitytv#JadeGoody
— 💕💕 Moira 💕💕 (@kennysmo) August 21, 2019
In her final days, Jade married her boyfriend Jack Tweed on February 22, 2009 and was baptised along with her sons. Exactly one month later, Jade passed away at age 27 with her husband and mother by her side.
"What an enormous impact on British society she made in such a short life," Big Brother presenterDavina McCall remembered in the film.
Jade might be gone, but her legacy lives on in inspiring thousands of women in the UK to get screenings for cervical cancer.
She will always be remembered:
Whatever she done, she was a mother. A brilliant one at that, she made something out of the rotten life she was brought up with, Sobbing my eyes out. She was light even on her darkest days #jadegoody
— dan (@DaniEmilyx) August 21, 2019
An incredibly brave and strong young woman putting herself through all that for the sake of her kids. She knew what she was doing and was a lot cleverer than people gave her credit for. #JadeGoody
— Steve Bryant (@ScoobySteve74) August 21, 2019
She fought until the end of her life. She worked until the end for her boys. Her boys will be proud of her. Cancer can kill anyone, it's important to get checked
What's 5 minutes of embarrassment talk/check with a Dr when it could save your life. #jadegoody@Channel4
— Deborah Dryden (@fruityfoxyroxy) August 21, 2019
I would consider myself a lads lad. Not one to ever show emotion or weakness but this #jadegoody programme has fucked me up! The fearlessness that girl showed and the things she did to ensure her boys would be secure was nothing but phenomenal and purely inspirational. RIP baby x
— S M O K E Y (@smokey4781) August 21, 2019
I’m watching the final episode of the Jade Goody documentary on @Channel4 & absolutely sobbing,she died so young leaving her children without a mum😭 life is just so cruel,she was an incredibly strong & brave woman right to end & helped to save a lot of woman. #jadegoodypic.twitter.com/jISAzPjeqH
— Josh (@Joshlovesit19) August 21, 2019
All three episodes of Jade - The Reality Star Who Changed Britain will be available on Channel 4's Catch Up service.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Instagram and Twitter account.
You Might Also Like
Animal Crossing New Horizons is finally announced on Nintendo Switch
How to watch Amazon Prime on your TV, smartphone and tablet – and enjoy Good Omens online