Prior to finding fame on Big Brother, Grahame was an aspiring actress. She was then transferred to Collingham Gardens child and family psychiatric unit in west London, where her weight was increased. Last Appearance From the very start I said I wanted to be really hands on, from picking fabrics to designing labels and I feel like I've succeeded. [11][12] During her Big Brother tenure, tabloid newspapers reported Grahame had suffered from anorexia nervosa for most of her adolescence and several times had attempted suicide by taking an overdose of paracetamol. Speaking about it being the last series, Grahame said: There is something about this house where nothing else matters. List of appearances Minxy Nikki loves a good time. After regaining consciousness, she was admitted to an eating disorders clinic called Rhodes Farm where she started showing signs of improvement after six months. She attempts to kiss him again but he rebuffs her advances. EastEnders star Kellie Bright admits she wet herself on Danny Dyer's shoulder during filming, Jacqueline Jossa 'proud' as she pens emotional message about missing daughter Ella when she starts school, Sign up to our daily newsletter for the BEST celebrity house tours and BIGGEST exclusive interviews, HAVE YOUR SAY You can now comment on your favourite OK! If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk. With the help of her 15 year old daughter Kiki, the 39 year old actress slipped easily back into character for the clip where they mimed pushing Barry off a cliff in the infamous EastEnders episode from January 2004. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Ruling party wins Nigeria's presidential election, Uranium particles enriched to 83.7% found in Iran, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, Daily walk prevents one in 10 early deaths - study, Finland starts construction of Russia border fence, Pictures show devastation after Greece train disaster, Twitter back after two-hour outage affected tweets. Grahame, who rose to fame as a contestant on Big Brother, had recently received treatment for an eating disorder at a specialist clinic following a fundraising campaign organised by friends and fans which raised more than 69,000. It seems she has left her acting career behind in Britain, relocating to California to become a marketing professional. [31] Grahame was nominated for a double eviction in the show's second week of the show's run alongside five of her housemate. Nikki Grahame, who suffered from anorexia nervosa, wrote two books based on her experiences with the eating disorder. Dormer was vetoed off the block and was replaced by Joel Lefevre. Nikkis friend found her unconscious in bed late that day and Sue was alerted with a call from the pal screaming and crying. [2] For 18 months, Grahame remained at home and attended Northwood secondary school in Hillingdon, west London,[3] before she started losing weight again. In her first few years, she had very little to do apart from being the best friend of Sonia Jackson and briefly dating Jamie Mitchell, Asif Malik and Martin Fowler. After a heart-to-heart with TJ and advice from David, she decides to stay in Walford for her children's sake. Not only that, but she was training to be a teaching assistant. Chris Lockyer News reporter @_chrislockyer Sunday 11 April 2021 09:59, UK Nikki Grahame has died aged 38 [48] They opened a GoFundMe fundraiser to pay for private treatment because the NHS treatments had "failed". Her only major storyline came in 2000 when her mother Rosa arranged for some home maths lessons to help with her exams. which appeared to tease Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by writing them as characters going on a worldwide privacy tour . 7 November 2013 She was just 38. This is a list of characters from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, ordered by the year in which they made their final appearance. [44], At the age of 18, Grahame was given breast implants on the National Health Service because her anorexia had left her flat-chested. Nikki was just 24-years-old when she entered the Big Brother house for the first time After Big Brother, Nikki did the usual new celebrity routine, appearing on quiz shows, presenting programmes and taking part in charity tournaments. Executive producer Ollie Durrant said: "We are honoured to be making this important film with Nikki's family and friends. 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. Reality TV star Nikki Grahame, who rose to fame as a contestant on Big Brother, has died aged 38. Granddaughters ", TV presenter Paddy McGuinness added: "Definitely one of the stars from the glory years of reality TV. She released the books Dying to Be Thin (2009) and Fragile (2012), both of which are based on her experiences with the illness. Gianni was charged with assault but the charges were dropped when Nicky admitted that she had not told the whole truth. You can sign up at the top of the page. They started a GoFundMe fundraiser and raised more than 60,000 towards her treatment. Grahame was evicted on Day 63, her 34th birthday. Nikki Grahame started her TV career in 2003 when she appeared in the British soap opera, EastEnders.The same year, she appeared in a dating game show titled Blind Date.In 2004, she took part in the Miss Hertfordshire pageant, finishing fourth. After her appearance on Big Brother, she won a National Television Award for most popular TV contender. When Bianca discovers this, she attacks her in the street, pushing her into a pile of rubbish. Suespoke toOK! This led to her overprotective brother Gianni attacking Rod. Big Brother star Nikki died on April 9 at the age of 38 following a battle with anorexia. [39], In August 2017, Grahame appeared on the Channel 5 documentary "In Therapy", which aired on 3 August 2017. In the true sense of the word. She was an actress, known for Celebrity Juice (2008), Big Brother (2000) and Dream Team (1997). On Saturday, the page was updated to announce the news of Grahame's death. However, Sue admitted that as it turns out she was the last person to ever speak to Nikki. 2023 BBC. The child actress who played the first incarnation of Janine Butcher is now one of the top bosses at Google. [57] The week following Grahame's death, her GoFundMe page was re-opened to raise money for her funeral and for eating disorder charities.[58]. "Nikki not only touched the lives of millions of people, but also her friends and family who will miss her immensely. [19] The crowd response was less positive than it had been at her prior eviction, when she departed to unanimous chanting and cheers. What you see has always been what you get - I can't be any other way.". was on tonight (April 7), a year after Grahame passed away at age 38 due to complications of anorexia nervosa. It will feature interviews with the Big Brother star's mother, as well as other members of her family and her friends. She insists that her children should live with her, but TJ says he is happy to stay. Read more: More heartbreak as Nikki Grahames dad dies of cancer. The soap star absolutely nailed her scenes as she viciously told Barry she didn't love him and just wanted his money before pushing him off the cliff. Nikki will forever be a beloved part of the Big Brother family. And that's not even including on the Big Brother spin-off shows. And now her mum has opened up about her last conversation with her daughter, revealing she heard her daughter take her last breath over the phone. She then went on to star in her own reality show Princess Nikki, which increased her popularity. Nicoletta "Nicky" di Marco made her first appearance 29 January 1998. In the funny clip, which uses the green screen feature on the social media platform, Charlie lipsynced along to the original script, while Kiki played the role of poor Barry. [47], In March 2021, Grahame's family announced she had again relapsed, that she "constantly feels weak and is struggling on a day to day basis", and that she wanted to recover but felt it was "impossible". is a registered trade mark of Reach Magazines Worldwide Limited and is used under licence by Reach Magazines Publishing Plc. Episode Count "I dont have one regret, not one. Channel 4 has said the production, which will feature interviews with Grahame's mother, will show the complex woman behind the "bright and funny media persona". In her first few years, she had very little to do apart from being the best friend of Sonia Jackson and briefly dating Jamie Mitchell, Asif Malik and Martin Fowler. The 43-year-old reflected on their friendship in a new interview a The books, which were autobiographical in nature, were released in 2009 and 2012. Beth Williams I went down with her in the lift and just before they took her out of the building, I asked which end her head was at, and held it in my hands.. Portrayed by Grahame was reinstated as an eligible housemate and was again given the opportunity to receive the show's 100,000 prize;[17] prompting 2,700 viewers to complain to the premium-rate telephone watchdog ICSTIS. The programme features Grahame in intensive, on-camera therapy sessions with psychotherapist Mandy Saligari, during which Grahame spoke about her depression and anorexia.[40][41]. She's in France swanning it up with Scarlett.". Nikki Grahame developed an eating disorder at a young age, forcing her parents to admit her to Maudsley psychiatric hospital where she was treated at a children's eating disorders unit. [45], In October 2011, Grahame confirmed she had relapsed and was again suffering from anorexia, stating she had checked into her 11th institution. In 2017, she appeared as herself in one of the episodes of the popular TV reality series, In Therapy. She won a National Television Award for most popular TV contender in 2006. NOTE: Please do not add content from the BBC iPlayer's early episodes until it has been aired on television, as it is intrusive to our readers who may not have seen the episode on iPlayer. Something went wrong, please try again later. Nikki Spraggan She is portrayed by Carly Hillman. Over the next few years, Nikki Grahame appeared in several shows, most of which were Big Brother spin-offs. Sending so much love to her friends and family. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. She had a happy childhood, which was rocked at the age of eight when her parents divorced. David Wicks (2014) Nikki Grahame turned herself into a household name after she entered the Big Brother house in 2006 - capturing the hearts of the nation with her countless TV meltdowns. Celebrity deaths 2021: The famous faces and notable figures we said goodbye to this year, Nikki Grahame 'one of the best characters that the world's ever seen', says Big Brother co-star Pete Bennett, Nikki Grahame's former Big Brother housemate Pete Bennett says 'we've lost a family member' following her death aged 38, "We hope this film is a fitting tribute to her legacy.". To become a marketing professional over the next few years, Nikki Grahame, who rose to fame a! April 9 at the top bosses at Google reality show Princess Nikki, which increased her popularity to a. Tj and advice from David, she attacks her in the ways you 've consented to and our... Towards her treatment one of the popular TV reality series, in Therapy to help with exams... 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