Nikki Grahame's dad has sadly died just days after her
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
The father of Big Brother star Nikki Grahame has very sadly passed away, just nine days after the reality show personality lost her life following a lengthy fight with anorexia nervosa. Nikki's dad, David, had been unwell with pancreatic cancer.
Speaking about the loss of her daughter for the first time, Nikki's mother, Sue, told The Mirror over the weekend that she had been trying to get her adequate support for years, "I am destroyed. There's part of me that's lost forever. My fight to get Nikki well started 30 years ago. In the end, I lost her. It has been the fight from hell."
Sue added that David had telephoned the hospital Nikki was staying in while seeking treatment for her illness and begged them not to discharge her too soon. Sadly, Nikki was found unconscious at her home on 9 April, the day after being discharged from Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.
"The nurses were amazing but I told every single one, 'She mustn’t go home, she’s too ill'," explained Sue. "Her father even called and told the hospital, 'If you let her leave, Nikki will die' but they still threw her out."
Following the news of Nikki's very sad passing, a spokesperson for Dorset County Hospital told the Daily Star, "Staff at the Trust were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Miss Grahame, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Miss Grahame. A full internal investigation into the care Miss Grahame received is currently underway. This is in line with standard procedures following any sudden death.
"All information and findings arising from this investigation will be shared confidentially with Miss Grahame's family."
Nikki's ex-boyfriend, Pete Bennett, who she met while appearing on Big Brother, said that they had been in contact prior to her death and that he was feeling optimistic about her recovery. "I told myself she’d get well again and we planned to do Kate Bush karaoke together one day as a duet when she was better," he wrote in a column for Heat.
"A few days later, she texted me to say 'Hey Petie, all good my end. Starting a clinic on Monday, which is good. And the sun is shining today!'"
Other friends of Nikki created a Go Fund Me page before her passing, explaining that she desperately needed help and asked for financial contributions to assist in her recovery. The plea quickly surpassed its £25,000 target and had raised £69,000 when Nikki lost her life. The organisers said that in light of her passing, the donations would go partly towards funeral costs and partly towards organisations and charities that support those with eating disorders.
Our thoughts are with Nikki and her father's loved ones during this incredibly tough time.
Watch: Pete Bennett hits back as Imogen Thomas blasts him for sharing Nikki Grahame's final text
Beat is the UK's leading charity dedicated to helping people with eating disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling and want to seek help, call their helpline on 0808 801 0677 or visit their website for more details.
You Might Also Like
