Jade Goody's driver has spoken of the devastation caused to the dying celebrity's family by her cancer.

Andy Smith, who used to drive Goody's sons to school, said the boys are being sheltered from the truth about their mother's illness. But the cab driver said the reality TV star's mother, Jackiey Budden, is “truly devastated” by the news that her daughter, who has cervical cancer, may only have weeks to live.

Mr Smith (40) who regularly drives Goody, her fiance Jack Tweed, her mother and her two sons, Bobby and Freddy Brazier, said the family is very close.

“They are very family orientated people,” he said. “The way I see it, Jade's sons are her world. And Jackiey is quite a rock for Jade. She is taking it very badly. She is truly devastated.” He said he does not believe the boys know their mother is going to die.

“The boys don't know very much, as far as I've been told,” he said.

“Hopefully they are young enough to get through this with a minimal amount of pain.” Mr Smith also told of his shock at first seeing Goody since her cancer took hold.

“It was very shocking and upsetting,” he said. “Last time I'd seen her she'd just had that shaped jet-black hairdo and she was looking really good. But when I dropped someone off at her house the other day she looked like a different person.”