JEFF Brazier looks every inch the doting grandad as he shared a gushing tribute to his first grandchild Isla Jade Brazier online.
Son Freddy, 21, and ex-girlfriend Holly Swinburn, 22, announced on Friday that they’d welcomed their first child together, a baby daughter whose middle name is a sweet nod to the star’s late mum Jade Goody.
In a new Instagram post, Jeff showed off baby Isla in a number of new photos, including snaps of fellow son and EastEnders star Bobby Brazier meeting the tot.
His photo montage begins with one of Jeff smiling and looking down at his granddaughter, while she’s cradled in his arms.
While a second snap shows new dad Freddy holding Isla, while Uncle Bobby affectionately gazes down at her behind his brother’s back.
“Dear Isla Jade,” Jeff’s caption begins. “You have no idea how deeply loved you are.
“There are so many good people standing behind you, and a very special angel watching over you.
“Mummy and Daddy gave you her name, and were going to tell you all about her,” Jeff added, confirming the child’s middle name is a sweet tribute to his late ex-wife Jade Goody.
“You already feel like the greatest gift. I will be forever grateful to Mummy and Daddy for filling my heart and bringing such joy into our lives.
“Thank you, Holly and Freddy, with all my heart. Holding you is pure peace.
He signed off: “All my love, Grandad (Though you’re welcome to call me something a bit cooler when you’re older!).”
In one funny photo, new Grandad Jeff was seen dozing off while sat in a chair holding Isla.
In a final whole picture, he poses next to new parents Freddy and Holly with Isla and eldest son Bobby.
The comments section was flooded with messages of support for the TV presenter and his family following the happy new addition.
“Congratulations to you all she will be so so loved,” wrote Strictly star Dianne Buswell, who has just welcomed her first child with partner Joe Sugg this week.
Big Brother winner Kate Lawler penned: “Ah Jeff beautiful news congratulations to you all.”
Meanwhile, Jeff’s This Morning co-star Josie Gibson commented with lots of love heart emojis.
Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor and model Kelly Brook also sent their congratulations in the comments section.
Freddy and Holly announced Isla’s arrival late on Friday in a photo shared to Holly’s Instagram Stories.
The former couple are seen in a black and white snap in a hospital bed with their new daughter following the birth.
New dad Freddie has a huge smile on his face, as Holly cradles the tot.
“Isla Jade Brazier,” simply reads the caption, revealing the child’s name.
Freddie’s late mum was TV star Jade Goody, who shot to fame when she appeared on the third series of Big Brother, then aired on Channel 4.
In August 2008, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, which was later deemed terminal as it spread to her liver, bowel and groin.
She died aged 27 in March 2009, leaving behind her two sons with ex-husband Jeff Brazier.
At the time, Freddy was four and his brother Bobby was five.
In an exclusive chat with The Sun prior to his daughter’s birth, Freddy revealed his plans to pay tribute to his mum with her name.
“We are calling her Isla Jade,” he told us.
“I think it’s lovely to incorporate the name Jade into her name as a middle name as I am sure there will be part of my mother in Isla.
“I was so pleased when I found out we were having a little girl. I want to be protective of her and take care of her.
“Calling the baby Jade as the first name felt like too much expectation on the baby . . . I don’t want to put any pressure on her.”
