Bobby Brazier has opened up for the first time about his younger brother Freddy’s shock baby news, admitting he is “excited” to take on the role of uncle.
The EastEnders actor, 22, said he and his father Jeff Brazier will support Freddy, 20, in raising the child following the announcement last month.
“I'm excited to become an uncle, it's going to be a team effort, like raising anything is,” he shared. “My dad has been super supportive and we're going to raise the baby together.”
The Strictly Come Dancing finalist, who is the eldest son of the late Jade Goody, admitted he initially doubted the news.
“At first I thought it could have been a prank when I heard about it,” he told the Daily Mail, before recalling how he phoned his father to confirm the report.
When asked whether the baby might heal recent tensions within the family after Freddy’s fallout with their father Jeff, Bobby was measured in his response.
“I'm not sure about healing but we're going to raise it together,” he added.
Freddy and Jeff had been estranged for much of the past year.
But after months at loggerheads, they are understood to have buried the hatchet as they prepare for the new arrival, The Mail on Sunday reported last month.
An insider told the newspaper: “It has blindsided him and has been one of the things that has really brought him and his dad back together but it's so devastating that Jade isn't here to see it.
“Jeff was one of the first people he decide to confide in to ask for advice, and he stepped up straight away and wanted to help in any way he could.”
The baby would have been the first grandchild of Freddy's late mother, Big Brother's famous contestant Jade, who died of cancer aged just 27 in 2009.
Jeff , who is the resident parenting expert on ITV's This Morning, is said to be “extremely supportive” of Freddy as he awaits the new arrival, alongside other family and friends.
Freddy's relationship with his pregnant ex-girlfriend was reportedly short-lived and ended on bad terms after a series of arguments, with both partners said to have made calls to police.
But they are said to have discussed setting aside their differences as they discussed co-parenting together.
Last month, Freddy spoke openly about his struggles with addiction and mental health, revealing he was sectioned during a turbulent period in his life.
He shared his experiences while promoting his upcoming Load Of Old Cobblers podcast, which launches on 1 September.
Speaking about the wider impact on his life, he continued: “I’ve been smoking since I was 12. I’ve been to rehab, I’ve been sectioned, I’ve had manic episodes, been in cells. There’s been a real journey and it’s been a tough one.”
Freddy went on to discuss his family relationships, explaining that he once prioritised being with his grandmother out of concern for her wellbeing, even if it meant pulling away from his father.
