Strictly’s Bobby Brazier is said to be quitting showbiz for a surprising new venture.
The EastEnders star, 22, is reportedly ditching his TV career to move to India to pursue the Hare Krishna religion.
According to reports, Bobby, who is the son of the late Jade Goody and presenter Jeff Brazier, is hoping to spend a year abroad and ‘immerse himself in the movement.’
Bobby turned to the movement, which follows a branch of the Hindu faith, after things became strained between him, his brother Freddy, and their father.
He will leave for India after leaving EastEnders later this year, reports have claimed.
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A source told The Sun: ‘Bobby is really excited and happy about his move to India. He’s been telling everyone about it and preaching to them about why he is devoted to Hare Krishna.
‘He’s such a nice young man, his heart is in the right place, but some people are surprised that he’s walking away from his career at a time when he’s on such a high with it.
‘He says he expects to be over there for a long while, at least a year, so maybe he will pick up on his career eventually when he’s back.’
Earlier this week, Bobby shared his love for the religion on Instagram with a slew of posts, writing: ‘Chanting Hare Krsna mantra is so good my heart’
In July an EastEnders spokesperson confirmed to Metro: ‘We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.’
Some of his biggest storylines have included beating Theo Hawthorne (William Ellis) unconscious with an iron and punching him multiple times, being diagnosed with ADHD diagnosis, and more recently an affair.
What is the Hare Krishna movement?
The core beliefs and practices of Hare Krishna are:
Chanting the Maha Mantra
The Hare Krishna chant (Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare) serves as a focal point of worship. Devotees believe that constant recitation leads to higher spiritual consciousness and liberation from material illusions.
Devotion to Krishna
Krishna is considered the ‘Supreme Personality of the Godhead’. Devotees see Krishna as the ‘highest deity’ and aim to cultivate devotion toward him, including practices like offering food, music, and dancing in Krishna’s honour.
Lifestyle and Regulations
Many within the Hare Krishna movement follow strict dietary rules, abstaining from meat, fish, and eggs. They often wear traditional clothing and adhere to specific moral and behavioural guidelines.
Concept of Reincarnation and Karma
Hare Krishna teachings include belief in reincarnation-cycling through life and death until one achieves release (moksha). They view karma (the result of one’s actions) as an ongoing force shaping one’s future births.
Speaking of his forthcoming departure, Bobby said that it could be an uncertain time ahead.
‘I don’t know, I guess that’s how it really goes and how it works in this industry,’ he explained.
‘You never really know what’s next until you go for it.’
After news of his exit, reports emerged of a family feud between Freddy and Jeff, which descended into a legal battle involving Jade’s mother Jackiey Budden.
Over the years, Jeff and Jackiey have repeatedly come to blows publicly, with the situation between them becoming so tense that she lost contact with her grandsons for several years.
In March, Jeff, 45, launched a legal bid to prevent his son Freddy, 20, from seeing his maternal grandmother.
A few months on, and Jeff has now reportedly dropped the case after ‘making peace’ with Jackiey.
‘Effectively they’ve all made peace for the time being and are trying to make things better again, which is doing them the world of good,’ a source told The Sun.
‘It’s actually the perfect outcome for everyone, and exactly what Jade would have wanted. The boys are happier for it, and the constant in-fighting has stopped… for now.’
They added that Freddy ‘remains devoted’ to his grandmother and had been ‘threatening to leave the UK to be with his grandmother abroad if Jeff carried on his legal case’.
Metro has contacted representatives for Bobby Brazier.
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