Freddy Brazier ‘smokes joint’ with gran Jackie Budden near Tower Bridge in front of tourists fuelling feud with dad Jeff
TV presenter Jeff Brazier has a court date to stop son Freddy from seeing his maternal gran — as new photos show them smoking a suspicious-looking cigarette.
Model Freddy, 20, was seen sharing an aromatic roll-up with Jackiey Budden, 68, next to the Thames in South London.
A source said: “Jackiey’s influence over Freddy is harmful.”
Photos of Freddy smoking a dodgy-looking roll-up with his nan are why his father Jeff is so concerned about him, sources said last night.
Jackiey, mother of tragic Big Brother star Jade Goody, was seen “acting erratically” with her grandson in full view of tourists.
It comes as we can reveal TV presenter Jeff has a court date in his legal fight to stop Freddy from seeing Jackiey amid concerns over his welfare.
A source close to the Brazier family said: “These pictures show exactly why Jeff is so worried about his son.
“Jackiey’s influence over Freddy is harmful to his overall wellbeing.
“It’s very sad that a grandmother would want to encourage her grandson to do something that could potentially be so damaging.”
Freddy was four and his brother, EastEnders actor Bobby, was five when their mum Jade died of cervical cancer at 27 in 2009.
Model Freddy regularly stays with his nan at her home in South East London — while dad Jeff lives in Essex.
Onlookers saw Freddy, wearing a US sports top, sharing a suspicious-looking cigarette with Jackiey near London’s Tower Bridge on May 14.
He and his nan, who was sporting cut-off trousers, then went down a staircase to continue smoking on the foreshore next to the Thames.
An onlooker said: “The pair were puffing away in the open, in full view of tourists passing by and there was an aromatic smell in the air. It didn’t seem to be normal tobacco they were smoking. Jackiey looked around then shut the gate behind them in a public passageway by the river so they were more secluded next to the water. She appeared to be acting erratically.”
Last night, Jackiey told The Sun on Sunday: “As long as Freddy smokes with me he’s safe.
“At least I know what he’s smoking as it’s nasty out there.”
It comes after we revealed in March that Jeff had taken action to prevent Jackiey having contact with Freddy in a bid to keep him safe.
Now, we can also reveal his legal team have been given a date for a civil court hearing.
Last week, thrilled Jeff revealed that Freddy and Bobby, 21, had come to the family home to celebrate his 46th birthday.
He posted online: “The best birthday present of all. The boys came home and slept in their own beds.”
Jeff, who is a regular presenter on This Morning, revealed earlier this year that Jade was still badly missed 16 years on.
He said: “To lose the mother of your children is a huge trauma that, of course, shapes your life.
“It comes down to the fact that we need her. It’s not just about missing her — we need her as a mother at the moment, and we always have done, in all honesty.”
Jeff and Freddy were on ITV together last month, presenting This Morning’s competition segment from Malta.
Jeff joked: “He sat in as an apprentice to see how it all works. At first, he was on light reflector duty, and then he was about to take my job, so I am glad that it came to an end. I was about to be relieved of my duties.”
Last year the pair also teamed up on the BBC’s Celebrity Race Across The World, where Freddy spoke about his mental health challenges and relationship with his dad.
He said: “At times where I’ve pushed him away, he’s pulled even harder to pull me back in.
“I don’t think I praise my dad enough for everything he’s done for me but he knows the love.”
Freddy’s mum Jade shot to fame on Channel 4’s Big Brother in 2002, then dated Jeff until 2004.
After her death, the former footballer raised the boys while forging a TV career.
Jackiey, who is unable to use her left arm after a motorcycle accident, previously opened up about becoming addicted to drugs when Jade was just a child.
She said: “Five years old there was a photo of her with a spliff in her mouth smoking it. I’m not proud of it. Jade was my mum. At five years old Jade was ironing and changing plugs. There was no one helping us, no social services.
“We had one physical fight. That was down to me being a crackhead.
“I’ve never ever had drugs until I started at 45 years old. Stupid. I was on crack. I was the guiltiest person ever at that specific time.”
Jade’s dad Andrew died of a drug overdose in Bournemouth in 2005.