'Big Brother' Alum Nikki Grahame Died After a Years-Long Battle With Anorexia

Apr. Eleven 2021, Published 3:12 p.m. ET

Big Brother UK alum Nikki Grahame died on April 9, 2021, following a years-long battle with anorexia. 

Nikki made her debut on Big Brother 7 in 2006. She landed her personal fact TV show, Princess Nikki, the same yr. She appeared in different Big Brother presentations in her more than decade-long profession as a media persona. 

Who was once Nikki Grahame?

Nikki garnered unequalled recognition amongst Big Brother fans and far beyond with catch phrases like the enduring, "Who is she?" — a query she time and again requested throughout an unforgettable rant after another Big Brother 7 contestant named Susie Verrico put her up for eviction — and "I'm so cold."

Nikki Grahame used to be diagnosed with anorexia at a young age.

After her debut on Big Brother 7, Nikki went on to appear on Ultimate Big Brother, Big Brother Canada, and lots of others. 

It's understood that Nikki has been open about her studies with anorexia for the reason that starting of her occupation. She published two books on the subject, Dying to be Thin and Fragile. She also gave the impression on Supersize vs Superskinny, a program about eating issues.

It's understood that Nikki's battle with anorexia began again when she used to be a kid. As her mother, Susan Grahame told The Sun, she noticed the first indicators around the time Nikki turned 7. 

"One point stands in my mind. She was 7 and we went to a restaurant and Nikki stood beside me, she wouldn't actually sit, she was just beside me," Susan instructed The Sun. "It was around that time that I noticed, she started refusing to eat, that's the one thing that stuck in my mind." 

Nikki began remedy for anorexia at a personal sanatorium within the spring of 2021.

Nikki reportedly checked into a non-public hospital in March 2021. Her condition worsened all over the months-long lockdown within the U.K., which saw gyms and other places for exercise shut down indefinitely. 

"With Covid, it sounds crazy but stuff like gyms closing impacted her," Susan informed The Sun. "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." 

"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," she added. 

Nikki briefly dated fellow 'Big Brother 7' contestant Pete Bennett.

Nikki used to be relationship a fellow Big Brother 7 contestant, Pete Bennett, for some time. They broke up in a while after the show got here to an finish, however they remained excellent friends for many years to return. 

"I thought to myself, 'We could save her,' but we couldn't. It's okay, she is in a good place. She is not suffering anymore," Pete mentioned in an Instagram video.

"Even through our ups and downs we have still remained close through the years," Pete wrote in the caption. 

"It was so nice to visit again recently with my girlfriend, sing Kate Bush songs and have fun like the good old days," he added. "I'm just sad that it was the last song we ever sang. Thank you for the memories my friend, you will sorely be missed, I hope you’re not hurting anymore and finally at peace. I'll see you in heaven, Nikki." 

If you or any individual you know is suffering with an eating disorder, call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.

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