JADE Goody’s mum spoke for the first time about her blossoming new romance

New flame ... Jackiey Budden on Tenerife with her sweetheart, former soldier Jason Cooper

DAN CHARITY

JADE Goody’s grieving mum spoke for the first time about her blossoming new romance yesterday — and said: ?Now Jade needn’t be scared that I’ll be alone.?

The Sun told this week how besotted Jackiey Budden has turned her back on Britain — and her life as a lesbian — after falling for ex-soldier Jason Cooper on Tenerife.

Watch a video of the couple below...

The pair met at the Los Cristianos resort after Jackiey fled Britain to recover from losing Big Brother icon Jade, 27, to cancer.

Lost girl ... Jackiey with TV girl Jade Goody,
who was killed by cancer in March

And last night 51-year-old Jackiey insisted: ?I know Jade would be 100 per cent behind this.

"She was always scared I’d be alone — she doesn’t need to be scared now.?

Jason, who is 15 years younger, said: ?I hope this lasts for ever.?

Jackiey was a lesbian for 25 years, but said: ?Tenerife was a new life for me.

"Now meeting Jason has opened the door to another new life.

Treasured

?I know Jade would be as surprised as anyone I’ve found happiness with a man — but she always said, ‘Man or woman, I want you to be happy’.?

The couple share a ground-floor apartment, plastered with pictures of Jackiey's treasured grandsons Bobby, six, and Freddie, four.

Romance ... Jason Cooper and Jackiey Budden

DAN CHARITY

She moved in with divorced dad-of-two Jason, from Telford, Shrops, six weeks ago after their love grew from a deep friendship.

And she confessed the drastic move from Britain probably saved her from a nervous breakdown.

Jackiey said: ?After Jade passed and there was the funeral, I had nothing left. I was on the edge.

?I knew I had to get away.

"Last time I was here it was with Jade and it felt the right place to come.

?When I arrived I was really poorly, my weight was down to 6½st and I was white as a sheet.

"I’d fulfilled all Jade’s final wishes, so I got an open ticket here and now I want to stay.?

Jason, who spent more than five years as a soldier in the British light infantry, moved to the holiday isle 2½ years ago after his divorce.

He now works as a chef at a beachfront pub — and revealed Jackiey is his first proper girlfriend since he settled on Tenerife.

Jackiey added: "We started out as friends.

"We were sleeping in the same bed together for weeks after going out — not having sex, just crashing out.

Happy ... Jackiey Budden tells of love

DAN CHARITY

?I’d get into bed naked and I never once thought it would be a problem for Jason, because I was never attracted to him like that.

?I’d ask for a cuddle, then he’d roll over to the other side of the bed. Finally our relationship became sexual."

Jackiey added: ?The age difference, my past, it means nothing.

"We’ve found something so special. It’s the purest love I’ve ever known.

"I know I’ve found someone I can grow old with.?