JADE Goody's next door neighbour has broken his silence on what it was like living next to the star during the media frenzy which surrounded the final months of her life.

John Lipsett, of Bramble Cottage in Pick Hill, Upshire, said he was “very fond” of Jade and her family, but her well-documented battle with cancer had led things in the neighbourhood to “escalate out-of-hand”.

The 48-year-old and his family, who have lived in the village for 15 years, have been confronted with camera crews and reporters on their doorstep since the news of Jade’s illness broke, and now face a daily army of well-wishers who arrive to leave flowers for the 27-year-old, who died last month.

Mr Lipsett told the Guardian: “There was no problem whatsoever until she got sick.

“She just got on with her life, and we would see her on the back lane here, walking her dog.

“She just muddled in with everyone else and she was part of the community.

“But once she got sick there were more and more TV crews and cameras and everything started to escalate out-of-hand.

“It was an unfortunate situation and something we had no control over.

“We had Sky, the BBC, ITN, Anglia, asking to speak to me because I live right next door.

“And they wanted me to go live on TV on my doorstep, but I told them I wanted to stay out of it, so they drew their lines and stayed clear.”

He added: “It’s been unbelievable.

“There have been mountains of people coming here.

“I suppose it’s just people being inquisitive and I guess you would call it her fan-base and people just want to come and see where she lived, and leave a few flowers.”

Mr Lipsett, who runs Mr John’s the butcher’s shop in Waltham Abbey town centre, said he felt that Jade had become a popular member of the community, and had had a positive impact on the town.

He said: “She was good for the Abbey.

“She would be here in the supermarket doing her shopping with her two kids and she would always say hello to everyone who spoke to her.

“She was a huge celebrity but she liked mingling with the local community.”

Jade was reported to have had a public row with one of her neighbours in February about a shared gate, but Mr Lipsett said he was not aware of her having had an argument with anyone.

Jade will be laid to rest on Saturday, and Mr Lipsett added: “It’s sad situation, especially with the two young boys being left behind.

“And it’s difficult – and far be it for me to criticise – but let’s just say that next week we hope things will be back to normal.”