Jade's Wedding, Thursday 9pm, Living

Posted by Jane Murphy

No matter how cynical, tough or uninterested you are, I honestly don't think it would have been possible to sit through this much-touted two-hour special without shedding a tear or two.

When it comes to describing terminally ill Jade Goody on her wedding day, all the clichés are true. She was beautiful. She was brave. And she was also as brash and ballsy as ever. "You're lucky you've got hair!" she snapped at her bridesmaids when she sensed they weren't happy with their proposed 'dos. "Stop looking at my baps!" she scolded husband Jack during their exchange of vows.

So thanks to Jade - and the brilliantly entertaining bishop who conducted the wedding service - this was also a funny, uplifting occasion. (As an aside, I'm not convinced Bishop Jonathan Blake was being deliberately hilarious - but he definitely deserves his own show.)

And yet Jade's illness still provokes extreme reactions from people. While the majority of us feel desperately sorry for her, there's still a certain amount of resentment that so much attention is being paid to one woman's plight when there are so many other sick, suffering or bereaved people out there.

Indeed, why sit at home sobbing about the wedding of someone you've never met when chances are a relative, friend or neighbour could benefit from a little TLC from you right now?

Well, I guess the answer is that many of us feel we know Jade because so much of her life has been made public over the past seven years. But rather than wallowing in misery or getting fired up about the media coverage of her plight, we should feel inspired to make a difference: sign up for a charity event, find out more about cervical cancer or simply take five minutes to check up on a friend. If you've got time to watch this programme, you've got time to do any or all of these things.

Jade would be the first to admit she hasn't always been the ideal role model - but over the past few months, she really has become an inspiration.

Picture: Living TV

SEE ALSO:
Jade: Bride-to-be - our blogger's view >>
Jade Goody leaves hospital >>
Jade's cancer: what you need to know >>

Comments

[SpecialRings.co.uk]

R.I.P Jade

[john]

i understand the pr comments when it has brought awareness to the forefront for any cancer but sorry jades no saint and i wouldnt be surprised if she was joining elvis at his everest ranch with binladen and salmon rushdie. Shes famous for being stupid on a non reality tv program and i feel a second series comin on here as its making a mockerey of all the other dear friends family and sufferers across the world. Im also disappointed at the way the press are sidelining other issues for this story. Enough let her die with what little dignity she has left leave her and her family to greive in peace

[David]

Personally, I'm sick and tired of all the publicity about Jade for quite another reason. My wife recently had cervical cancer, so I know what I'm talking about. When all the publicity is rammed down our throats, my wife sits there thinking 'what if my cancer re-ocurrs'so , although it is a good thing that more people are being tested for cervical cancer, stop for a minute and think what other sufferers are going through. People talk as though they know Jade Goody and that it is all her fault, but the fault lies with the publicity machine. She might be providing for her sons, but you can bet that Max Clifford etc are getting their pound of flesh.

[sue]

I am of mixed opinion about Jade and the amount of publicity its attracting. Its good in a positive way because she is raising the awareness of the need for screening for cervical cancer. On the other hand though, its becoming really depressing to watch her every move being shown on TV, from her just going to have her teeth whitened to her being wheeled around in her hospital bed/wheelchair whilst visibly taking medication. I can fully understand her wanting to have money for her 2 boys after she has passed away but I think the time has come now to leave her in peace to live her final days with a bit of dignity with her family.

I cannot believe some of the comments though, how can anybody think this is PR stunt. Its not something you can make up and if it was a PR stunt, it would be a pretty damn stupid move to make, particularly in light of the fall out over the celeb BB race row. Some people just don't have a clue what they are talking about. Having seen my dad pass away through cancer, I think it would take one particularly sick minded person to think that to pretend they are dying would be a good move for their career. I mean really, think about it!

[kathy]

i have thought about jade and her family a great deal over the last few months, i thik she is an inspiration a fighter, a lady will balls, she is telling her story so other women dont have to go through what she has, so we will be more aware of having our smear tests and checing out body, through her death so many more women will live, how can peope sit there and rip her apart, many in her shoes would have crumbled, she has stayed strong held her head up high and focused on her boys and the man she loves... i admire her streinght... god bless you jade your boys and your husband who we ca all see you adore and love .... that star will be shinning brightly in the sky jade as you look down on us all... god bless your the brightest star of all x

[clare]

I've read all the comments that you have wrote about jade and think its a disgrace about what every one has said about her put your self in her shoes . Everybody has either lost or has somebody that has cancer and its not nice at all i lost my cousin at the age of 34 and she left 2 children behind both the same age as jade's. i think we should all be grateful that we are still alive and have our family and friends around us for support. I admire jade for what she has done over the past few months after finding out about her cancer coming back, at the end of the day jade is trying to give her children a good start in life which i think is great. I have read the stories in OK Magazine and also watched the tv shows about her wedding, i was in tears with, after watching that programme, i think we should count ourselve lucky that we are still alive and put our selves in jade's shoes.

[julie]

Poor jade , i do hope she doesn't read these comments . yes she is gobby but not stupid . think about it the girl has hardly had a good life but has thought about her kids so much on her last days because she doesn't want the same dragged up life for them . jade is going through so much pain to give them a better life she not thinking about herself, do you really think this is all she wants to do with her last days is get ready to die ? god bless you Jade.

[ellen]

never really believed jade was a racist, just a bully, always believed the other 2 in CBB were much worse, and like you say, if Shilpa can forgive then everyone else should justget over it.

as for the people who have moaned (i read the teletext letters!) about her making money - anyone of us given the opportunity to leave out children well cared for financially would do exactly as jade has done, anyone who says they wouldnt are idiots, and should put themselves in her position for a few moments.
i wish jade and her boys every ounce of luck i can muster, she has been courageous and an inspiration.

the only thing that bothers me is that jack, and jackiey. i can just imagine the pair of them milking jades death for every penny, and just hope the magazines dont let them.

[Ambz]

Im sorry but if Shilpa Shetty has forgiven jade for what she said....who are we to hold grudges.....she has my sympathies.....my heart goes out to jade and her kids....shes making the most of her life left and doing whats best for herself and children....so what if shes in all the magazines....tv....and media spotlight....shes only got some time left....soon she won't be.....my heart goes out to you jade....im hoping for a miracle.....in my thoughts and prayers....xxx

[Conrad]

I never watched big brother never took interest in Jade's quests for stardom or followed her life in any shape or form, but from a fellow human being to see someone who dragged herself from obscurity and poverty to have the life and security many of us dream and wish for she has my full respect.
For those who called her stupid, ignorant and damm don't they wish they had her courage? From the way she earned her money to the full knowledge that at any given time her life could end and maybe her misfortune could save the lives of many young women and anyone who do not wish to hear about or see her on tv simply don't read about her and watch her 'simple'.
I hope there is a miracle, i hope she makes a full recovery and continue to annoy the jealouse fools and heartless creeps out there at least she is christian and a proud Brit.

[Angela]

Waster?? How can you call yourselves human beings for calling Jade a 'waster'? She has proved to be a brilliant mum, she is staring death in the face but still she is strong and very brave for all that she is doing. So what that she is appearing on the front of every magazine and newspaper, she certainly never asked for that, she only did the deal with O.K. and Living for her boys. I watched her wedding on Living last night, im just so pleased she was able to have one final get together with all of her family and friends (who obviously love her dearly) and good for her that she was able to have this special day. God bless you Jade x

[madkat]

IF WE ARE CELEBRITY DEPENDANT MORONS DOESN'T THAT MAKE YOU ONE TOO, AFTER ALL YOU READ THE ARTICLE ASWELL!!!
So what she's a bit thick that doesn't make her a waster and yes some of us do feel her pain as an awful lot of people lose loved ones through cancer.
If your girlfriend/mother/sister where saved from cancer because Jades story had such an impact on them, would you critise her then?

[donna]

All I can say is walk a mile in her shoes before passing judgement!! People are so quick to judge without fully understanding!! Unless you've been where she is you can never fully comprehend!! Good luck & god bless her

[Deano]

The expressions on this blog are typical of how Briton has become a nation of celebrity dependant morons.

Ending messages with a kiss x as if somehow they know her pain and would love to be her friend gives you a sense of what must these peoples lives really be like??

The women who ambled onto the screen in the circus BB, came across as idiotic, having no education or a grasp of the English language, transported to the awful celebrity stardom, with interviews with magazines that are read by the lowest common denominator, showing so many pictures of what your life could be if you starred on BB.

The real woman made it perfectly obvious what kind of person she is when racially abused a women for being a different colour, without a hint of being embarrassed by it and now she is dieing of cancer, like thousands in this country do every day without having the grey haired slime of Max Clifford telling everyone at every opportunity that there was a small and private ceremony and everyone was very emotional and please let me get my Father Ted Look-alike face on television.

When and if she goes (rumours are abounding it’s a PR stunt) Max Clifford will move on to leech off somebody else and the rest of the awestruck plebeians will find another star to gaup at. Will the headstone read……the peoples princess!

Lets see.

[Chrystal]

you two are god damn harsh your telling me if you were in her position then you wouldnt do that for your children. i believe you are both being naive and that you would yes many people are but Jade and her family are being more open and advertising for people to go for cervical cancer screening earlier... so she is not being 'waster'.

shame it was on living wish could have seen it on a freeview channel as a lot of people probably feel. my best wishes go out to Jade and her family. x

[Grahaem]

Totally agree with Andrew. All the hangers on will have forgotten who she is 3 months after she dies.

[madkat]

how can you say she is a waster??
She has saved many lives over the last few months by going public with her illness as the cervical testing rate has gone up by almost 20%!
You are the waster by judging someone who wants to leave her kids a legacy(the 'millions' she has earn't) and inspire other young women to get tested so they dont have to leave their children behind too....
My husband still grieves for his mum who died when he was just 11 and I would do the same for my children if I was in her position.

[Andrew]

Why has this woman gotten so much publicity. She was a waster at the start when she first came to public eye, and she is still a waster.
I am sad she is terminaly ill, but so are thousands of other people who get no support, or who are having finacial problems because of thier illness.
What happened to the millions she made!!!
Let her die in peace without forcing us to grieve with her.

[fiona]

its true what they say jade was the gobby gal of bb! but i loved her from day 1 she was stupid but yet so funny, i read her book which made me cry but last night i sobbed my heart out watching the wedding she looked so pretty an jac scrubbed up well :) my heart goes out to her an her family i,m glad she got teh wedding she wanted, jades best men did her proud with the photos i think i used an whole box of tissues for that bit, well done jade an jac my heart goes out to you all xx