You rock it babes! BB Pete’s tearful tribute to ex Nikki
THE former boyfriend of Nikki Grahame wept and drank from a wine bottle as he paid tribute to his fellow Big Brother star in an online video.
Pete Bennett had been helping to fund treatment for the 38-year-old, who died on Friday following a tragic battle with anorexia.
‘We got loads of money and the amount of love and support for Nikki was overwhelming,’ Bennett said in his Instagram clip.
‘I thought to myself, yeah, we can save her. But it’s OK. She’s in a good place. She’s not suffering any more.’
Holding up the bottle of wine, the emotional 39-year-old continued: ‘So I would just like to raise a f***ing glass, a f***ing bottle of wine, more like, for Nikki Grahame and all the love from us at Big Brother 7 that we really love you Nikki. You were a true winner... you f***ing rock it, babes.’
Bennett, who won the 2006 series while Grahame (pictured) came fifth, shared a photo of his last visit to her in March. He wrote: ‘Even through our ups and downs we have still remained close through the years.’ Grahame – who told fans she was struggling with the lockdowns – captured viewers’ hearts with her comical meltdowns on the show and her catchphrases including, ‘Who is she?’ and ‘I am soooo cold’. Supporters had raised £69,000 to help with her weight battle through a GoFundMe page. Former Big Brother presenter Davina McCall tweeted that she was ‘so desperately sad’ to hear about Grahame’s death, adding: ‘She really was the funniest, most bubbly sweetest girl.’
X Factor stars Jedward, who took part in Celebrity Big Brother, posted: ‘Rip Nikki Grahame as fellow Big brother contestants we’ve gone through the same experience and having met you on tv shows! our heart goes out to your family and friends.’
Rylan Clark-Neal, who won the 11th series of Celebrity Big Brother, described Grahame as a ‘Big Brother icon’ as he offered his condolences to her mum. ‘Thinking of Susan and Nikki’s close friends and family,’ he tweeted.
Close: Pete’s last. picture with Nikki, in.March