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Reported in thye People 27/10/02

BIG BROTHER'S Jade Goody broke down in tears when she went to see her dad in prison for the first time since the TV show, The People can reveal.

She wept as she hugged jailbird Andy Goody - who later spoke exclusively to The People - as other inmates and their relatives looked on.

But the motormouth blonde was not lost for words for long.

And in a phone call from the prison after her visit, Andy said: "It was really lovely to see Jade, she's looking great.

"I'm so proud of her. Everyone dismissed her as being thick and loud, but she seems to be doing really well."

Jade joined her dad at a table in the visiting hall and poured out her heart about the way her life has changed since she found fame on the hit Channel 4 TV series.

With tears still in her eyes, she apologised for not seeing him since she became the Big Brother runner-up in July. The pair laughed and cuddled several times and Jade bought her dad a chocolate bar and a cup of tea from the canteen.

The 22-year-old, who quit her job as a dental nurse when she rose to fame, was driven to the jail in Nottingham for the 40-minute visit.

One onlooker said: "When Jade first came into the waiting area everyone was open-mouthed. Not all the inmates know her dad is here.

"Jade didn't act the star, she obviously wanted to be treated the same as everyone else.

"When she went into the prison a few inmates asked her for an autograph. She was fine about it."

Andy, 39, who is serving four years for robbery, has been following his daughter's career closely since the spy-on-the-wall show.

Jade, who won the nation's heart with her dippy comments, has landed a number of lucrative deals including celebrity appearances at nightclubs and a role of the wicked queen in a Snow White panto.

Andy - prisoner number DN9109 - listened excitedly as Jade told him all her news.

She has moved out of mum Jackiey Budden's council flat in Bermondsey, South London, and into her own plush townhouse.

And she has bought a top-of-the-range BMW, even though she is still taking driving lessons.

Andy added "She told me she's got a personal trainer, which is obviously doing her good because she has lost quite a lot of weight.

"She also told me she was invited to the National TV Awards. She's mixing with a lot of stars but she won't let it go to her head."

Andy, who had a whirlwind romance with Jade's mum when he was 18, hopes he will soon get a release date. He said: "I told Jade and she was so happy for me.

"I know only too well that I haven't been the best father to Jade. But I'm determined to be there for her now whenever she needs me."