Jeff Brazier left Celebrity Race Across The World viewers in tears on Wednesday as he revealed how the loss of his father helped him parent his own grieving children.
The 45-year-old television personality was just nine when his father Stephen Faldo died after the pleasure boat he was captain of, The Marchioness, was involved in a horrific collision on the Thames which killed 51 people.
Meanwhile, her sons Bobby, 21, and Freddie, 19, were even younger when their mother Jade Goody tragically died in 2009 aged 27 after being diagnosed. with cervical cancer.
Jeff never met his biological father, something he deeply regrets, and said as a result he wanted to make sure his own children had the experiences he would have liked to have with a father.
She says: “My childhood experience probably influenced a lot of the way I raised Bobby and Freddy. My mother, probably against everyone’s opinions, decided to have me even though I was only 15, so I’m forever grateful for that.”
Jeff Brazier, 45, left Celebrity Race Across The World viewers in tears on Wednesday as he revealed how the loss of his father helped him parent his own grieving children.
Bobby, 21 (left) and Freddie, 19 (right) were even younger when their mother, Jade Goody, tragically died in 2009 aged 27 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Jeff was just nine years old when his father, Stephen Faldo, died after the pleasure boat he was captain of was involved in a horrific collision on the Thames that killed 51 people.
“I never had the company of my biological father, he died when I was nine. Obviously I always regret not having met him, so when it came time to be a father I always made sure they had the experience I would have liked to have had with him.”
He was speaking after trying to teach Freddie the value of money while they worked selling lemonade on Copacabana beach in Brazil.
Saying, ‘When I have issues with Freddie not taking responsibility, I sometimes have issues with that because I didn’t have a choice at a very young age, but it’s not his fault.’
Earlier in the episode, Freddie held back tears as he revealed he had “no memories” of his late mother.
Admitting: “I lost my mother when I was four and it was Mother’s Day, which is very hard. I don’t like to show my emotions. I don’t talk much about my mother with my father either. I avoid it. I prefer to repress it.”
“I don’t want to feel like I’m a burden on them. Many of my memories of my mother come from watching a documentary, YouTube ‘The clips, the newspapers, are not my memories.’
While holding back tears, she continued: “I don’t really remember my mother hugging me. If I had more memories of her, it would have been a lot harder for me.
“But I think I’d rather that than not really remembering the things I did with my mother. It’s life, really, and I’ve sort of accepted it.”
Jeff never met his biological father, something he deeply regrets, and said that as a result, he wanted to make sure his own children had the experiences he would have liked to have with a father.
Saying: ‘My childhood experience probably influenced a lot of how I raised Bobby and Freddy (R)
‘I never had the company of my biological father, obviously I always regret not having met him, so when it came to being a father I always made sure they had the experience I would have liked to have had of him’ (photo 2009)
Viewers were left in tears, writing on X: ‘Jeff lost his dad at 9 and Freddie lost his mum at 4. They’ve both been through so much trauma’: ‘I love Jess so much. What a great man’: ‘Oh Freddie. Jeff and Freddie win!’: ‘Jeff and Freddie win, the sweetest father/son relationship’.
Previously on the series, Jeff spoke candidly about raising his children following the death of his ex, saying, “I think when the kids lost their mom, I really doubled down and put all of my time, effort, attention and focus into my kids,” Jeff said.
“I had to be there, helping them navigate the future that their loss would hold for them. And I still play that role.
“But yes, the more Fred does for himself, I know he can start moving forward in life.”
In a later scene, Jeff and Freddie were enjoying a short break to take in the stunning views when he did some self-reflection.
Earlier in the episode, Freddie held back tears as he revealed he had “no memories” of his late mother (photo from 2006).
Excited spectators rushed towards X after the scenes
“It’s hard to switch off and sometimes I think I take it too seriously,” Jeff said. “It’s all my responsibility and it has been for a long time because I think as a man you probably don’t value your ability to cope with the situation so you do what comes naturally to you, which is to take full responsibility and focus on the situation.”
“I’ve completely lost the ability to play, but I think that’s something I need to get back. I think I need Freddie to prove to me that I can do it and I need to get back to what I was before. I’m sure it’s possible.”
The father-son duo shared a sweet moment when Freddie convinced his dad to relax and leave the bags downstairs as they admired the view. Jeff walked up the stairs and found his son sitting with a dog.
“I just wanted you to know that you’re absolutely right,” Jeff told his son. “I need to get better at relaxing.”
Freddie: ‘After this trip I feel like things could be a lot better than they have been.’