Jade Goody dies, aged 27

Jade Goody has died at the age of 27, it has been announced.

The reality TV star passed away in her sleep at her home in Essex this morning following a battle with cancer.

Speaking to reporters today, Goody's mother Jackiey Budden confirmed: "Jade died at 3.55am this morning. Family and friends would like privacy at last."

Goody was diagnosed with cervical cancer in August last year. In February, she was told that she could not be cured after the disease spread to her liver, bowel and groin.

The former Big Brother contestant waged a public battle against the illness, speaking regularly to the press about her treatment and symptoms. Though her decision was controversial, the publicity has led to a sharp increase in the number of women coming forward for cancer screening.

Her publicist Max Clifford told Sky News: "I think she's going to be remembered as a young girl who has, and who will, save an awful lot of lives."

Recent newspaper and magazine deals also allowed Goody to secure the future of her young sons Bobby, five, and Freddie, four.

Clifford added: "She was a very, very brave girl. And she faced her death in the way she faced her whole life - full on, with a lot of courage."

Goody first rose to prominence by competing in the third series of Big Brother, which aired in 2002. She was also followed by cameras for her own reality shows and appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007.

> Obituary: Jade Goody

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