London - Controversial British reality TV star Jade Goody is suffering from "advanced and life threatening" cervical cancer, a barrister told a court hearing Monday.

The 27-year-old beautician faced a "long road of pain and distress," said lawyer Andre de Moller. He made his remarks during a court case in which he represented Goody's boyfriend, Jack Tweed.

On first being told of her cancer diagnosis in August, Goody withdrew from India's "Bigg Boss" show and returned to London for treatment.

Her participation in the Mumbai-produced show had been intended by Goody as an attempt to mend fences with India following the uproar over her allegedly racist comments directed at Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty during Britain's Big Brother show last year.

Goody visited India after the outburst and offered a public apology for her conduct.

In Britain, de Moller told a court in Chelmsford, north-east of London, that Goody was due to undergo an operation in two weeks time and that she was expected to have chemotherapy.

"It is advanced and it is life-threatening," said de Moller at the court proceedings.

Tweed, who lives with Goody, was sentenced to 18 months in jail at the court proceedings for attacking a 16-year-old boy with a golf club. He has denied the charges. (dpa)