British reality TV show star loses battle with cancer

Jade Goody, a dental assistant who became a reality-TV star whose whirlwind journey from poverty to celebrity to tragedy became a national soap opera and morality tale in the U.K., has passed away last Saturday, she was 27 years of age.

Goody gained fame at 21 in 2002, when she joined the reality television show "Big Brother". Loud and brash, she became a highly divisive star — initially mocked as an ignorant slob, then loved for her tenacity.

It was a pattern of praise and condemnation that followed her for the rest of her life. Goody became a national touchstone who sparked debate about race, class and celebrity in Britain.

"She was a courageous woman both in life and death and the whole country have admired her determination to provide a bright future for her children," British Prime Minister Brown said in a statement.

"She will be remembered fondly by all who knew her and her family can be extremely proud of the work she has done to raise awareness of cervical cancer which will benefit thousands of women across the U.K."