By Lisa McLoughlin

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Bobby Brazier has shared a touching message for his younger brother Freddy as he celebrated his 21st birthday.

The EastEnders star, 22, marked the milestone on Thursday with a childhood throwback photo on Instagram and admitted that while the pair “often disagree,” he “loves his big little heart.”

He penned: “There’s always a place under my arm with your name written on it.

“My wide eyed, high pitched, buck toothed & most endearing younger brother, who’s broken language only I could understand. Felt you then and I feel you now.

“Whilst you’re NO doubt a lot harder than I am, and whilst we may often disagree, I beg for you to know that I love your big little heart & it’s safe with me.”

Earlier in the day, Jeff Brazier took to Instagram to celebrate his son’s 21st birthday.

Despite their fallout earlier this year, Jeff said he will “always be walking along side” him.

Sharing a series of photos from over the years, he wrote: “Happy 21st Birthday to our Freddy. What adventures we’ve had! Incredible memories made and challenges we’ve faced.

“So many lessons and there can’t be much you haven’t taught me about being a Dad! We’re always going to be here with hearts full of love and chests full of pride.

“The destination will be so sweet for you and so deserved, there are lots of different paths and I’ll always be walking along side you on yours no matter how many times you ignore the sat-nav,” he continued.

“I have a feeling your 21st year will be a special one.”

The tributes come after Bobby opened up for the first time about Freddy’s shock baby news, admitting he is “excited” to take on the role of uncle.

The EastEnders actor, 22, said he and Jeff will support Freddy in raising the child following the announcement last month.

“I’m excited to become an uncle, it’s going to be a team effort, like raising anything is,” he shared. “My dad has been super supportive and we’re going to raise the baby together.”

The Strictly Come Dancing finalist, who is the eldest son of the late Jade Goody, admitted he initially doubted the news.

“At first I thought it could have been a prank when I heard about it,” he told the Daily Mail, before recalling how he phoned his father to confirm the report.

When asked whether the baby might heal recent tensions within the family after Freddy’s fallout with their father Jeff, Bobby was measured in his response.

“I’m not sure about healing but we’re going to raise it together,” he added.

Freddy and Jeff had been estranged for much of the past year.

But after months at loggerheads, they are understood to have buried the hatchet as they prepare for the new arrival, The Mail on Sunday reported last month.

The baby would have been the first grandchild of Freddy’s late mother, Big Brother’s famous contestant Jade, who died of cancer aged just 27 in 2009.

Jeff, who is the resident parenting expert on ITV’s This Morning, is said to be “extremely supportive” of Freddy as he awaits the new arrival, alongside other family and friends.

Freddy’s relationship with his pregnant ex-girlfriend was reportedly short-lived and ended on bad terms after a series of arguments, with both partners said to have made calls to police.

But they are said to have discussed setting aside their differences as they discussed co-parenting together.