Terminally ill Jade Goody and her two sons were christened on Saturday in a low key ceremony at the Royal Marsden Hospital chapel.

Goody, who has cancer, originally planned to hold the christening in a church near her home in Upshire, Essex, but was too unwell to leave the west London hospital after a bowel operation.

The reality TV star was christened with sons Bobby, five, and Freddie, four, still dressed in her green gown and with a drip attached.

Goody made christening her sons a priority after doctors told her she only had months to live. She said she wants Bobby and Freddie to know their mummy is looking down on them from Heaven after she is gone.

Her publicist, Max Clifford, said: "This is Jade’s way of keeping in touch with the boys. Her words were, 'They have got Jesus around them now.'"

He said the ceremony would be a “small affair”, with only around 20 to 30 close family members and friends instead of the big party Ms Goody had originally wanted to hold for her sons.

Mr Clifford said Goody had "a smile and a kiss for everyone who was there".

Her husband, 21-year-old Jack Tweed, who is out of jail on parole, was given permission to spend the night with her after her operation. He said he apologised for his criminal behaviour in the past and expressed his regret for not being there for her all the time.

He told The Sun newspaper: "I was given permission to spend the night with Jade. I'm so happy - I just wish I could be there all the time.

"I told her I'm so sorry for my behaviour in the past. It's meant I haven't been there for her the whole time.

"I told her I've let everyone down but have learned my lesson. And I said I'm worried that, once again, I won't be there for her and the family when they really need me. I just want to be with her as much as I can."