Both the News of the World and Sunday Mirror claimed Jade Goody “exclusive” front pages yesterday following the news that the reality TV star’s cancer was fatal.
But according to Goody’s publicist, Max Clifford, the News of the World was the only title to have an exclusive interview with her. The People also carried quotes from Goody talking about her condition.
The News of the World paid for the interview, in a deal brokered by former People editor Mark Thomas, who now works for Clifford as a consultant.
Clifford told Press Gazette: “The Sunday Mirror and Sunday People all did their own thing but the only one that had an exclusive interview was the News of the World.
“She’s surrounded by people who have learned over the years that they can make money from her, so that’s what happened. If journalists haven’t got an exclusive they go out and do the best they can.
“If it had been the other way around, the News of the World would have done the same.”
He added: “We want to make Jade as much money as possible for her boys and for her family, which is what she wants.”
Clifford also represents schoolboy Alfie Patten, who at 13 may be Britain’s youngest father.
Patten gave an exclusive interview to The People yesterday – the day after it emerged that three other youths in his town of Hailsham, East Sussex, also claimed that they could be the father off the child born to 15-year-old Chantelle Steadman.
The Pattens went to Clifford on Friday after a dispute over money with The Sun – which broke the story on Friday and paid the Pattens a fee in exchange for exclusive photos.
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