Fury as mag kills off battling Jade Goody

CELEBRITY magazine OK! was hit by a furious backlash yesterday after publishing an “official tribute” to Jade Goody — while she is still alive.

The black-edged issue has a strapline 1981-2009, suggesting cancer-stricken Big Brother star Jade was already dead.

It promoted itself as being “in loving memory” and featured her “final words”...

...But last night battling Jade, 27, was still bravely clinging to life.

And a family friend said: “She is sticking two fingers up at the Grim Reaper.

Furious fans vowed to boycott OK! — and some called for the edition to be withdrawn and editor Lisa Byrne sacked.

The copy features “tributes from celebrities”.

They include Kerry Katona, who has met Jade ONCE, and Jordan, who has slated Jade’s decision to fight her cancer in the public eye.
Proud

The “world exclusive” followed OK! paying £700,000 for the rights to Jade’s wedding to Jack Tweed three weeks ago.

Among angry emails to The Sun, one from Donna Morton said: “I am horrified. Heads should roll.”

Lisa Barry branded the edition “disgusting”. She added: “OK! should apologise.”

But the magazine said: “OK!’s tribute issue is a celebration of Jade’s amazing life.”

Meanwhile desperately-ill Jade continued to defy predictions by doctors earlier this week that she only had hours to live.

She even awoke from a deep sleep SINGING.

The family friend said: “She is showing just how strong she is and refuses to just curl up and die.

“She still tries to talk to Jack but can’t stay awake for long.

“Jade is aware everyone is watching and waiting — and she is having the last laugh. We’re so proud of her.”

Jade, who has cervical cancer, left hospital last week to die at home in Upshire, Essex.

Her mum Jackiey Budden, 51, ran out of the house sobbing yesterday.

She said: “The mood inside is very sombre.”

Jade’s PR Max Clifford praised doting Jack, 21, for the way he has nursed her.

He said: “Jack has been incredible. He has been brushing her teeth, holding her hand. Watching somebody you love die is hard.”

Mr Clifford said Jade was “present in spirit” as a petition was handed over in Downing Street yesterday, asking for the minimum age for cervical smear tests to be lowered.

It follows The Sun’s Jade’s Legacy campaign, which says the age should be changed from the present 25 to 20.

PM Gordon Brown said the Government would consider “all available medical evidence”.