Jade Goody dies in her sleep following cancer battle

The reality TV star died with her mother Jackiey Budden at her side at her home in Essex, at 3.14am this morning.

Mrs Budden, speaking outside her home, wearing pyjamas with a coat over the top, said: ''My beautiful daughter is at peace. Family and friends would like privacy at last.''

Referring to how her public battle with cancer has raised awareness of the disease, Mr Clifford said: ''I think she's going to be remembered as a young girl who has, and who will, save an awful lot of lives.

''She was a very, very brave girl.

''And she faced her death in the way she faced her whole life - full on, with a lot of courage.''

He said it was ''ironic'' that the 27-year-old - who had two young sons Bobby, five, and Freddie, four - had died on Mother's Day.

Mr Clifford said he hoped Goody's family would now be left in peace to grieve.

Goody's friend Kevin Adams, who was also there when she died, left the house visibly upset and dressed all in black this morning. He declined to comment to reporters outside the home.

Goody's body was taken out of her home and placed in the back of an estate car shortly before 8am.

Mourners started arriving at the house to pay tribute to Goody within minutes of the news breaking. They left floral tributes at the gates of her home.

Later, two police officers arrived at the house.

Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said: ''We are very sad to hear of Jade's death and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this devastating time.

''Her brave battle with an aggressive form of cervical cancer has received widespread public attention and encouraged thousands of women to seek advice on how to prevent the disease.

''It's critical that young women take up their invitations to cervical screening if we are to avoid more tragic cases like Jade's. She has done a great public service by raising awareness of the importance of screening during her last few months of life.”