Nikki Grahame’s grieving family believe she was discharged from hospital too soon as she battled anorexia
THE grieving family of Big Brother star Nikki Grahame believe she was discharged from hospital too soon and was not ready to start anorexia treatment at home.
Nikki, 38 — who starred on the Channel 4 reality show in 2006 — spent three weeks in Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, before leaving on April 9.
Her body was discovered the following day at her London home. She had been scheduled to start “more relaxed” private treatment.
A source close to the star’s family said: “Those close to Nikki feel she would be alive today if she wasn’t discharged so soon.
“Her family feel she wasn’t strong enough physically to care for herself. It’s left them shocked and heartbroken.”
Nikki — much loved for her appearance on Big Brother — had been open about her battle with the eating disorder. She had fought the illness since she was a child.
Most read in Celebrity
Nikki was first admitted to a psychiatric hospital at 12 following a suicide bid.
At one point she had to be force-fed through a nasal tube after she starved herself.
The Sun approached Dorset County Hospital for comment.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm