Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty is “deeply saddened” by the death of her foe-turned-friend Jade Goody, but is “glad” that the British reality TV star is now “out of pain” after suffering from cancer. Goody, 27, passed away in her sleep at 3.14 a.m. in her Upshire, Essex, home in London after suffering from terminal cervical cancer.

“I am deeply saddened by the news but in hindsight glad she (Jade) is out of pain and passed away peacefully in her sleep. Words cannot express how I feel but my heartfelt condolences to the family,” Shilpa told IANS in e-mail from London. Shilpa rushed to London March 15 to meet her ailing ex-housemate but could not because of Goody’s deteriorating and grave condition that allowed no visitors. Goody became controversial in the “Celebrity Big Brother” show in 2007 when Channel 4 network expelled her after thousands of viewers complained she had racially bullied Bollywood star Shilpa, who was on the same show.

In one incident, Jade also referred to her as “Shilpa Poppadom”. However, following her eviction from the show, Jade admitted her actions had been wrong and subsequently made many public apologies. The two made peace soon after. The two then came face-to-face in the second season of the Indian version of the show, “Bigg Boss 2”, hosted by Shilpa, where Jade participated as the only non-Indian housemate. It was during the “Bigg Boss 2” that Jade dramatically learned that she had cancer. Meanwhile, though fans have been disappointed with the Indian cricket board’s decision to hold second edition of the Twenty20 tournament abroad, the franchise owners have backed the move with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), calling it a “great” decision.

Mumbai Indians co-owner Nita Ambani said even though shifting the IPL was a last resort, they were assured they will not suffer any losses. Rajasthan Royals co-owner Shilpa Shetty, though disappointed, said that given the choice between “no tournament, or the tournament in another country, then we clearly prefer the latter”. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at an emergency meeting Sunday decided to hold the Twenty20 tournament outside the country because state governments have expressed their inability to provide security to the tournament as it clashes with general elections.

“It is a great decision. We will follow what the IPL and the BCCI decide. All the franchise owners have decided to stick together and see it through,” Shah Rukh said after a meeting of the eight team owners with IPL chairman Lalit Modi Sunday. “The elections are important for the country. It’s a bigger issue than IPL. We have tried to resolve the problem. IPL officials will have to do a lot more work. We all have been working non-stop for past three days. The picture will be clear in next five to seven days,” he said.

“However, the buzz which is in India will not be there, but the election buzz will be there,” Shah Rukh said. The Bollywood superstar said the sponsors should not have any problem falling in line. “The tournament is going to be televised so the sponsors will come along.” Shah Rukh, who last year travelled extensively with the team, said he will take time out this year too. “I will try to be there for as many matches as possible.” Mumbai Indians co-owner Nita Ambani said the IPL has assured the franchisees that they will not suffer any losses if the Twenty20 tournament is held outside the country.

By Noreen Aslam

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