Date set for Jade Goody's funeral

The funeral of reality television star Jade Goody will take place at a church near her home early next month, a family spokesman said last night.

Jade, who died on Sunday aged 27, after losing her battle with cervical cancer, will be buried following a service at a church in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, on 4 April, the spokesman said.

The funeral procession would leave her home in Upshire, Essex, at noon and then make its way to St John’s Baptist Church, in Buckhurst Hill, via Loughton. The spokesman said he was not yet sure where Jade would be buried and details of the service had yet to be finalised.

Jade would have been “overwhelmed” by the public’s reaction to her death, her mother, Jackiey Budden, said.

Scores of well-wishers continued to lay flowers outside Jade’s home today.

“Her response to all this would be the same as mine — overwhelmed,” said Ms Budden.

“It just shows how many people really did love her.”

Jade’s widower Jack Tweed could be forced to miss the funeral.

Tweed, 21, is due to be sentenced on Thursday after being convicted of assaulting a taxi driver.

He was found guilty of attacking Stephen Wilkins in Epping, Essex, last May following a trial at Epping Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrates warned earlier this month that Tweed, who had denied the offence, could be jailed.

The court said yesterday that the case remained listed for that date, although Tweed’s legal team could still ask for a delay.

Earlier today, Ms Budden collected cards attached to flowers left by the gates and said she planned to write to as many well-wishers as possible.

Jade died at her home in the early hours of Sunday.

Katie Price yesterday became the latest celebrity to pay tribute to the former Big Brother star.

“I think she has been really great. I just hope that her family stay strong and stay together through it. I just hope that she has a really nice funeral.”

The model, who has three children, praised Jade for raising awareness about the risks of cervical cancer.

She added: “I always thought that, having babies, they would automatically test you but they don’t.

“I think she has opened a lot of eyes and I am definitely going to get tested.”

This article is from The Belfast Telegraph