Big Brother legend Nikki Grahame has died at the age of 38 after a long battle with anorexia.
TV legend Nikki shot to fame in 2006 when she took part in Big Brother 7 alongside Aisleyne Horgan Wallace and Pete Bennett.
She became known for her temper tantrums and Diary Room histrionics, including an infamous “who is she?” rant. She also formed a relationship with the show’s eventual winner Pete Bennett, but their romance ended a month after they left the house.
In recent weeks she had been receiving treatment for an eating disorder at a specialist clinic following a fundraising campaign organised by friends and fans.
Tragically, she died on Friday.
On Saturday night, a statement from her representative said: “It is with immeasurable sadness that Nikki Grahame passed away in the early hours of Friday 9th April 2021.”
(Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
In a statement posted to Twitter after the sad news broke, Big Brother host Davina paid tribute and said: “I am so desperately sad to hear about Nikki Grahame x my thoughts are with her friends and family xx she really was the funniest , most bubbly sweetest girl x.”
Top Gear host Paddy McGuinness added on Twitter: “Definitely one of the stars from the glory years of reality tv. I met her a long time ago and she was a lovely girl. RIP young lady.”
Throughout her life, Nikki had battled insecurities and an eating disorder.
She was very candid about her relationship with food and bravely opened up about her struggles in 2009’s Dying To Be Thin and later Fragile in 2012.
After Big Brother, Nikki went on to bag herself her own E4 show Princess Nikki before becoming a regular on the showbiz circuit.
She also appeared on TV shows Celebrity Scissorhands, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and The Weakest Link.
(Image: Channel 4)
In 2010 Nikki was invited back to take part in Ultimate Big Brother where she became the runner-up on the show to BB2 winner Brian Dowling.
Earlier this year fans rallied around the star via a GoFundMe page to pay for her to receive treatment.
The campaign had raised more than £69,000 since its launch on March 10, with organisers saying they had “exhausted every avenue possible”.
It’s understood that Nikki was receiving treatment at a private hospital when she passed away on Friday.
Nikki’s supporters received an email on Saturday afternoon announcing her page had been updated with a statement.
The message read: “It is with great sadness, we have to let you know that our dear friend Nikki passed away in the early hours of Friday 9th April.
“It breaks our hearts to know that someone who is so precious was taken from us at such a young age.
(Image: ITV)
“Nikki not only touched the lives of millions of people, but also her friends and family who will miss her immensely.
“We would like to request privacy at this difficult time, while Nikki’s friends and family process the sad news.”
The tribute continued: “Full details will be released as and when we know them.
“All donations have been greatly appreciated and it was heartwarming for everyone including Nikki to see how much she was loved.”
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The page was established to raise funds to get Nikki specialist treatment to help with her eating disorder and mental health struggles.
A previous post by page creators Carly and Leon explained: “The basic treatment Nikki has been receiving from the NHS is simply just not working for her so her only option now is to seek expensive intensive treatment at The Priory or a similar alternative facility alongside meticulous private therapy.
“The above treatment and facility costs 25 thousand pounds per month and we believe this is her only option to provide the care and life saving treatment she needs.”
(Image: PA)
The post heartbreakingly concluded with: “Nikki made millions of us laugh during her happier days, now all we want is to see our Nik’s smile again.”
Nikki’s untimely death tragically comes after her mum Sue appeared on This Morning last week to talk to hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield about her daughter’s eating disorder battle.
Sue explained how lockdown really affected Nikki because of the gyms being shut her daughter would dread eating.
She explained: “With Covid, it sounds crazy but stuff like gyms closing impacted her.
“In order for her to eat she needs to know she can exercise, so when they closed it was quite a worry, the isolation as well.”
(Image: ITV)
Sue continued: “I asked her if she would come and stay with me but she said she needs to be in her home.
“She was (suffering terminal loneliness) she felt very cut off and spending too much time on her own with not enough to think about other than food.
“It all came to a grinding halt. Also for Nikki, she would muddle herself through the year knowing she’s got friends abroad and she would visit them.
“She spent a lot of time last year cancelling holidays.”
In recent years, Nikki retrained in education, working with children in a school and she also took courses English and Science.
If you’re worried about your health or the health of somebody else, you can contact SEED eating disorder support service on 01482 718130 or on their website, https://seedeatingdisorders.org.uk.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
