Shetty: 'Jade was a special person'

Shilpa Shetty has paid tribute to Jade Goody after the reality TV star passed away at the weekend.

The Bollywood star and fellow Big Brother contestant wrote on her personal blog that Goody had successfully boosted awareness of cervical cancer.

Shetty said: "She put up a brave fight, lost her battle with cancer but won many a heart with her courage and how she dealt with it.

"My heart sunk on hearing the news, but in hindsight was glad she wasn't in pain anymore and passed away peacefully in her sleep."

She added: "All I can say is she truly was a special person and even in her last moment all she could think of was securing her family's future, she didn't care how, but her goal was just that.

"She died a hero's death. My heartfelt condolences and hope her soul rests in peace…at last."

Shetty came to London last week but was unable to visit Goody before she died.