Nikki Grahame death: Big Brother winner Pete Bennett opens up about reality star’s death in tearful interview
Reality star rushed to see Grahame weeks before her death
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Your support makes all the difference.Big Brother winner Pete Bennett has opened up about the death of Nikki Grahame in a tearful interview.
Grahame died of complications from anorexia, aged 38, weeks after a GoFundMe page was set up by her friends to raise money for treatment.
On Saturday (10 April), her friends revealed via the same page that the reality star died the day before.
Bennett, who dated Grahame after their time in series seven of the reality show, told Sky News that he had rushed to her house after seeing the GoFundMe page
“I knew Nikki was ill in the last lockdown, she told me not to say and she was getting care. But she rang me up like, ‘Pete I’m ill, come and get me from the clinic’ and I was busy at the time,” he said.
"But then this second lockdown happens and I remember seeing that fundraiser that Carly and Leon had made, and I was like, ‘my God, she’s really really ill, man.’ I was in London at the time and I just got in the cab and went over there with my girlfriend, who’s a mental health nurse, and we just tried to give her as much love and support.”
He added: “My heart goes out to everyone who was trying to help her, especially her best friend.”
Bennett, 38, added that he thought their “great connection” and “love” would help “boost her up and out of the darkness”.
He said: “This lockdown has been really hard for people with mental health issues, this has really highlighted it.”
Related article:
Big Brother’s Nikki Grahame starts GoFundMe for anorexia treatment as eating disorder returns
Nikki Grahame seen discussing anorexia battle with Vanessa Feltz in old Big Brother clip
Former Big Brother host Davina McCall led tributes to Grahame, calling her “the funniest, most bubbly [and] sweetest girl”.
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Bennett previously posted a video on Instagram in celebration of her life.
For anyone struggling with the issues raised in this piece, eating disorder charity Beat’s helpline is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677.
NCFED offers information, resources and counselling for those suffering from eating disorders, as well as their support networks. Visit eating-disorders.org.uk or call 0845 838 2040.