OK! defends publication of Goody obituary issue

OK! MAGAZINE yesterday defended its decision to publish a "tribute" edition to Jade Goody even though she is still alive.

This week's copy of the magazine carries a black border, the banner "Jade Goody Official Tribute Issue 1981- 2009" and the strapline "In Loving Memory".

The 27-year-old reality television star, who has terminal cancer, is spending her final days at home with her family.

Max Clifford, her publicist, said the star was "very weak" but that she had "put her house in order".

OK! said the family had been in contact to say they thought the edition was "very kind" to Goody.

In a statement, the magazine said: "OK!'s tribute issue is a celebration of Jade's amazing life."

Goody has been open about her desire to use media interest in her illness to secure the financial future of her two sons and it is understood that OK! paid her in the region of £700,000 for the rights to her recent wedding to Jack Tweed and the boys' christening.