CAN I say a word in defence of Jade Goody?

Not, I hasten to add, that I condone the racist bullying of the beautiful Shilpa, which was despicable and deserving of all the condemnation poured on Jade.

But the description of Jade as ugly, a fat pig, gruesome, hideous, thick or talentless is spiteful, personal-bile and politically-incorrect bullying.

Let's not forget Channel 4 put her back in the Big Brother house to stir up controversy and boost the ratings.

I remember Jade winning Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes with a wonderful rendition of Lynn Anderson's I Never Promised You A Rose Garden.

And thick? This was the Jade Goody who single-handedly took the best brains in Britain right to the wire on Eggheads.

Cynthia Glasby, Southlands Road, Strensall, York.