‘Who is she?!’ Why we loved Nikki Grahame
Friends and family are brokenhearted over the death of former Big Brother star, Nikki Grahame. A girl who won hearts but sadly has finally
She won hearts and made us smile with her catchphrases, most famously ‘Who IS she?! Who IS she?!’ but even her devoted family and friends couldn’t save the former BigBrother star from her long fight against anorexia, and she passed away on Friday 9 April, aged just 38.
Tributes flooded in, including one from Big Brother host Davina McCall, who said: ‘She really was the funniest, most bubbly, sweetest girl.’
According to those close to her, lockdown had ‘floored’ Nikki, who had battled the cruel eating disorder for three decades, but as one close friend, Sue Moxley, said; ‘I really thought she would make it.’
The shock was palpable. Family, family and fans had recently raised more than £65,000 in a bid to get her admitted to a private specialist clinic. But it seems her poor ravaged body could not fight the disease again and the news of her death was confirmed on her GoFundMe page. Among those who had donated were Rylan ClarkNeal and best columnist Vanessa Feltz.
Nikki poignantly opened up to Vanessa during Ultimate Big Brother in 2010, which celebrated the reality show’s 10th anniversary.
‘I faced all my demons and turned it around… I am healthy, I am in control and I love food, I love living, I love everything about life.’
Nikki came fifth in Big Brother 7 in 2006, but her place didn’t matter. She was later hailed as one of the most ‘iconic’ contestants in the show’s history. She had many memorable moments – walking into the house dressed as a Playboy bunny, epic temper tantrums, her romance with eventual winner Pete Bennett, and that infamous
‘ Who IS she?!’ diary room rant over housemate Suzie Verrico’s nomination of her for eviction.
‘ Where did you find her? Let me out. I am too angry to talk… I am feeling very venomous and angry… How dare she vote for me! She doesn’t even know who I am!’
Her successful stint in the house led to spin-off series Princess Nikki – as well as appearances on Blind Date, EastEnders and Sky One’s Dream Team. But behind the scenes, the star – who released two books about her experience with anorexia, Dying to be Thin in 2009 and Fragile in 2012
– was fighting a battle that, tragically, she would eventually lose.
Nikki, we will miss you.