As cancer-stricken Jade reveals hair-loss, former rival Shilpa Shetty says ‘I’m praying for a miracle’

Bollywood-turned-Big Brother star Shilpa Shetty has revealed that she is praying for former rival Jade Goody's recovery.

Pictures emerged this weekend revealing the cervical cancer sufferer in a headscarf, masking her devastating hair loss following aggressive chemotherapy to treat the condition.

'Losing your hair must be the worst indignity for a woman,' said Ms Shetty, who admitted she was shocked by the pictures.

Jade Goody has had a double boost this week, after news that boyfriend Jack Tweed is to be released from jail coincided with Shetty's words of support

The reality TV personalities have become close following their notorious on-screen rift on Celebrity Big Brother two years ago, in which Goody was branded a racist by the British public.

'What happened between us in the past means nothing compared to what Jade is going through today,' she said. 'Every night I pray for a miracle to save her life.'

Ms Shetty's support is an additional boost to Goody, 27, following news that her boyfriend is to be released from prison early.

Jack Tweed, who has served a third of his 18-month term, was jailed after attacking a 16-year-old with a golf club. The 21-year old is expected to be tagged and under curfew at his parents' Essex home.

The cancer-stricken reality TV star has lost her hair following gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Delighted Ms Goody, who recently underwent an emergency kidney operation forcing her to pull out of a pantomime in which she was starring, has promised that she will be the first to greet her boyfriend on his release.

Ms Shetty, 33, was one of the first to hear of her friend's condition when presenting an Indian version of the show last year, in which Goody was taking part. The Bollywood favourite told how the mother-of-two had flown home in shock after hearing the news.

'I was one of the first people to be told and I kept saying over and over to myself, 'It can't be true, it can't be true. I remember calling Jade at Mumbai airport telling her to hang in there and be strong for her kids,' said Ms Shetty, revealing how the pair both cried over the phone.

'You wouldn't wish this on your worst enemy.'

Ms Shetty, who was speaking from Chennai in India yesterday revealed that Goody had maintained a sense of humour about the situation, particularly with sons Bobby, five, and four-year-old Freddie.

'I heard Jade joked to her sons that her hair loss was caused by using the wrong shampoo - so at least she hasn't lost her sense of humour.'

But Ms Shetty, who has promised to come to the UK in order to support her friend, was serious in her admiration. 'How she has handled herself has been nothing short of amazing.

'Being a working mother of two small children is a hard enough job on its own without having to battle such a serious illness at the same time.'

The pair's notorious on-screen fight in Celebrity Big Brother 2007 saw Goody branded a racist by viewers

Goody has been given a 50 per cent chance of survival following a hysterectomy in September, and is undergoing a gruelling course of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and blood transfusions.

She is expected to hear a fresh prognosis of her condition this spring. A spokesman said: 'She is determined to beat cancer and thanks everybody for their messages of support.'

Posted by Got Access Staff on January 11, 2009. Filed under Entertainment, Photo Gallery. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry