Thousands gather for goody's funeral

Thousands of fans gathered on Saturday (04Apr09) to pay their respects to late reality TV star Jade Goody as her funeral procession passed through the streets of London.

The cortege travelled through areas in which Goody spent parts of her life and was flanked by mourners and well-wishers.

Crowds lining the route tossed flowers at the hearse and applauded, before funeral director Barry Albin-Dyer released a single white dove - which was greeted with cheering.

The procession then left London for a burial service in St John's Church in Buckhurst Hill, Essex - the home town of Goody's widower Jack Tweed, who was allowed to attend after his sentencing hearing for assaulting a taxi driver was postponed until 16 April (09).

Members of the public, who gathered outside the church, were able to watch the service via screens and speakers erected outside the building.

The service was followed by a private funeral at an unconfirmed location.

Goody's publicist Max Clifford paid tribute to the star, and insisted the procession went just Goody had planned.

He says, "I think Jade would want people to be laughing and crying and I'm sure they will be. People have been to the church and signed the book of remembrance, and there's been letters and cards from all over the world as well as floral tributes."

Goody lost her battle with cervical cancer on 22 March (09), aged 27. She had carved out a lucrative career through magazine and book deals, and by starring in a string of reality shows.