Reality shows - good for Shilpa, terrible for Goody

New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) British reality TV star Jade Goody who died Sunday and Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty have both used reality shows as their path to international fame. Ironically, it was on a reality show that Goody's life came crashing down.

'Celebrity Big Brother' in 2007 opened a new chapter in Shilpa's life, making her a household name internationally. It was on another reality show in 2008, 'Bigg Boss 2', the Goody came to know that she was suffering from canver.

Goody became notorious in India for having made some racist comments at Shilpa during the 2007 show. But now Shilpa also credits Goody for her success abroad.

'(I) always felt she (Jade) and I were connected in a strange way... I believe she was a catalyst and the architect of my fame in Britain,' Shilpa said in her blog on March 17 from London.

'(I) felt terrible for what she had to go through after the show, and I screamed my lungs hoarse to save the situation... but in vain. Anyway life brought us together again through 'Bigg Boss' and that's where we met and spoke after years... and went on to become friends,' she added.

Shilpa rushed to London March 15 to see her ailing foe-turned-friend but in vain as Goody's doctors didn't permit visitors due to her deteriorating condition.

Shilpa's popularity ratings soared suddenly after being abused by housemate Goody in the Channel 4 reality TV show 'Celebrity Big Brother'.

Goody found herself evicted from the show. She subsequently apologised in public. The two then made peace.

Next year, when Goody was the only non-Indian on 'Bigg Boss 2', she was told she had cancer.

Apart from being a busy actress, Shilpa now co-owns Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals with beau Raj Kundra, while Goody succumbed to her ailment early Sunday morning.