Goody's brother mourns reality TV star

Reality TV star Jade Goody died from cancer on Sunday. Photo / AP

Jade Goody's Australian-based half brother has spoken of his sorrow at not being able to say goodbye to the reality TV star, who died from cancer on Sunday.

Brett Luckens wanted to fly from his Sydney home to support Goody in her final days but worried a rift with their mother, Jackiey Budden, might worsen the trauma surrounding her illness, The Sun reported.

"When I discovered Jade had cancer I tried to contact her but she was already in hospital," the 31-year-old chef told the newspaper.

"I can't begin to imagine what Jackiey is going through and I will do whatever I can to support her and the family."

Luckens was given up for adoption when he was three years old - a year before Jade, who had a different father, was born.

Goody was 15 when Luckens tracked her and their mother down through an adoption agency.

According to the paper, the dispute between Luckens and Budden came after he gave his son, now five, his adopted surname instead of hers.

Luckens contacted Goody earlier this month after learning of her illness, but she was too unwell to talk.

"Me and Jade were cool - there was never a big problem between us, and I thought we would come into contact again and pick up where we left off, like we usually did," Luckens said.

"I can't believe she's gone. I'm just devastated."

Goody died in her sleep after a highly public battle with cervical cancer.

The 27-year-old mother of two young sons shot to fame in 2002 when she appeared as a contestant on Big Brother 3.

She sparked outrage around the world over her treatment of Indian movie star Shilpa Shetty when the pair appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007.

Goody was branded a racist bully for comments she made about the Bollywood actress, but later apologised and became friends with Shetty.

- AAP