Freddy Brazier Admits Using BBC Show Budget for Drugs During Filming

Freddy Brazier has admitted to using funds from the BBC show budget to buy drugs while filming "Race Across The World" with his father, Jeff Brazier. Brazier, 22, revealed on "The Terry Stone Connection" podcast that the experience became overwhelming, particularly as it coincided with Mother's Day, a difficult time for him due to the death of his mother, Jade Goody.

During the filming of "Race Across The World," contestants are provided with a small budget by the BBC to cover their expenses. However, Brazier confessed that he took money from his and his father's budget to buy marijuana and consume it on a beach in Brazil. He described feeling mentally unprepared for the journey and sought solace in drug use to cope with the emotional strain.

"I wasn't in the place mentally, and when I knew that we were going to be filming over Mother's Day as well, I was like, 'oh f*** s***, I'm going to have cameras in my face. I want to be alone,'" Brazier explained.

He recounted sneaking out of his hotel on Mother's Day night and purchasing the drug from locals on the beach. Brazier acknowledged the selfish nature of his actions, stating, "And looking back and, reflecting as I'm speaking, I was very selfish to do so because that could have cost us the show." Despite this, he felt the marijuana provided a necessary coping mechanism at the time, suggesting he might have been removed from the show otherwise due to his mental state.

This admission follows previous public discussions by Brazier about his struggles with mental health and drug addiction. He has previously stated that his grandmother, Jackiey Budden, introduced him to marijuana at age 12, leading to a long-term addiction. Brazier has also spoken about being sectioned due to mental health episodes and has expressed intentions to seek treatment in rehabilitation centers, though his plans have varied.

Freddy Brazier lost his mother, Jade Goody, to cervical cancer in 2009 when he was four years old. His father, Jeff Brazier, has publicly voiced concerns about Jackiey Budden's influence on his son, leading to documented disputes between the two.

If you are affected by issues raised in this article, you can contact Mind on 0300 123 3393 or addiction support service FRANK on 0300 123 6600.