Johnny Depp's Surprising Big Brother Admission Unearthed in Nostalgic Clip
A remarkable throwback video shared over the weekend has unveiled a surprising celebrity confession from two decades ago. Acting icon Johnny Depp, in a 2002 interview, openly declared his support for Jade Goody to win the reality television phenomenon Big Brother.
Depp's Unexpected Endorsement
In the unearthed clip, a then 29-year-old Johnny Depp was interviewed by Edith Bowman, who questioned him about the pioneering reality show. Depp confessed, 'You can't avoid [Big Brother]... Jade. I want her to win... bless her heart she should win, Jade should win. Good luck Jade.' This endorsement came after Jade Goody's ditzy comments and nude cavorting had landed her in the newspapers, making her a controversial but widely discussed figure.
Jade Goody's Ecstatic Reaction
During her exit interview from series three of Big Brother, host Davina McCall played the video of Depp's support to Jade Goody. The late reality star, who tragically passed away aged 27 in 2009, was seen screaming with delight and screeching, 'Oh my God!' Edith Bowman noted that Jade 'needed the [winner's] money,' adding context to her emotional reaction. The clip, shared by the nostalgic Instagram account Peak Britannia, was captioned: '2002 really felt like anything was possible...' highlighting how ordinary people on Big Brother became famous overnight, even garnering mentions from A-listers like Johnny Depp.
Jade Goody's Complex Legacy
Jade Goody's rise to fame was stratospheric, beginning with her entrance into Big Brother where public villainising initially thwarted her, but she ultimately won the hearts of the nation. After years as a tabloid sweetheart, selling intricate details of her life to publications, she made the grave error of returning to the Big Brother house in 2007. During this stint, Jade, along with glamour model Danielle Lloyd and S Club 7 star Jo O'Meara, were accused of racist behaviour towards Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.
Jade called the actress 'Shilpa Poppadom' and mocked her for bleaching her facial hair, leading to over 44,500 complaints to Ofcom—a record at the time—and causing significant distress. The scandal was so severe that police investigated the treatment as potential 'racial hatred,' although Shilpa Shetty did not lodge an official complaint. In a bid to rehabilitate her image, Jade agreed to appear on the Indian version of Big Brother, but during her appearance, she was told live on air that she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Tragic End and Lasting Memory
After her diagnosis, Jade's cancer spread to her bowel, liver, and groin. She tragically died on Mother's Day in March 2009, survived by her sons Bobby, now 22, and Freddy, now 21, whom she shares with Jeff Brazier. The Instagram tribute concluded with 'RIP Jade Gone but never forgotten,' echoing the sentiment of many who remember her as a true cultural moment from the early 2000s. This rediscovered clip not only showcases Johnny Depp's unexpected fandom but also serves as a poignant reminder of Jade Goody's tumultuous journey in the public eye.
