The seven-year marriage of television presenter Jeff Brazier and PR executive Kate Dwyer has come to an end, with sources close to the couple revealing that his sons' inability to accept her as a stepmother was a central factor in their separation.
The Strain of a 'Blended' Family
Jeff Brazier, 46, married Kate Dwyer in a ceremony in Portugal in September 2018, creating a new family unit with his two sons, Bobby and Freddy. The boys were just young children when their mother, the late TV personality Jade Goody, tragically died from cervical cancer in 2009.
Despite Jeff's hopes of building a perfect blended family, insiders report that the boys, now 22 and 21 respectively, always viewed Kate as their 'dad's partner' rather than a maternal figure. A source told the Daily Mail, "Jeff desperately wanted to portray the perfect family and had always hoped that Kate could fill the void left by Jade Goody – but Bobby and Freddy never truly accepted her as 'stepmum'."
A 'Fiery' Relationship and a 'Year of Hell'
The couple's separation follows what has been described as a 'year of hell' during which they grew apart. Reports indicate that Kate, 35, moved out of their shared marital home approximately three weeks ago and has returned to her apartment in Hackney, east London.
This is reportedly not the first time the couple have split. The source added that, away from the idyllic image they presented on social media, their relationship was often 'fiery' and included some "pretty ugly" rows. Both Jeff and Kate have recently been spotted without their wedding rings, further fuelling speculation about the permanence of their split.
A Turbulent Year for the Entire Brazier Family
The marital breakdown coincides with a difficult period for the entire Brazier family. Both Bobby, who is leaving his role on EastEnders this year, and Freddy have moved out of the family home.
Freddy Brazier has also recently split from his pregnant girlfriend after a series of arguments. He has spoken publicly about personal struggles, including claims that his maternal grandmother got him "hooked" on drugs when he was 12, an accusation she has denied.
The challenges faced by the brothers have been compounded by the enduring legacy of their mother's death. Just days before Jade Goody passed away, she and Jeff heartbreakingly wrote a script for their sons explaining that she would become a star in the sky, a memory that has undoubtedly shaped the family's dynamic in the years since.
