Jade Goody musical in the making

A musical based on Jade Goody's life is being developed, her former business partner and friend has confirmed.

Danny Hayward, who was one of Jade's 'best men' at her wedding to Jack Tweed in February, said that the project is "still in its infant stages, but it's definitely going to happen".

And he plans to hold open auditions to fill the lead role of the 27-year-old late Big Brother star, who died at her home in Upshire, Essex, on Mother's Day this year, after losing her battle with cervical cancer.

Danny said: "Jade was just an ordinary girl and the person who plays her will reflect that. The most important thing is to give someone a break, just like she got."

He said that dates for auditions will be announced in three weeks' time and added that he was currently 'putting scripts together' and employing the 'creative team'.

But Jade's former publicist Max Clifford played down the stage show.

"It's an idea that's got legs, but it's nothing definite," he said. "It's not all signed and sealed, but it's something that's likely to happen."

He added that if the production did go ahead he would help promote it and cast the lead roles.

Danny said that Jade had not known about the project, as the idea had been thought up since her death.

But he added that Jade, who originally hailed from Bermondsey, south London, had always wanted to be on stage.

He said: "Her dream as a little girl was to be in a musical, so obviously when she passed away it felt fitting to do something like this."

Get exclusive access to your favourite stars. Subscribe to TV Times magazine