April funeral for Jade in Essex - News in brief - Evening Standard
       

April funeral for Jade in Essex

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

Goody, 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 April 4, 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 Goody would be buried and details of the service had yet to be finalised.

Goody 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 Goody's home. "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."

Goody'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.

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

Katie Price became the latest celebrity to pay tribute to Goody. "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," she said.

News in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Rock star: Erin Wasson

Rock star

Erin Wasson is the ultimate anti-supermodel
Maybe it’s because she’s a Londoner … Happy anniversary, Ma’am

Happy anniversary

The monarchy has become stronger and more respected in the past 60 years
Victoria Coren: My obsession with children, five proposals a week and why David and I are no power couple

Victoria Coren

David Mitchell and I are no power couple
The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party

Summer party

Stars at the The Royal Academy of Arts
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
The Glamour Awards - stars turn on the style

Glamour Awards

Stars turn on the style
Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink at her first Buckingham Palace garden party

Garden party

Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink
FIRST review of Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi blockbuster Prometheus

First review

Is Ridley Scott's Prometheus any good?
Fair-weather goths

Fair-weather goths

The sultry shades of summer darks are coming out of the shadows
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity