IMOGEN Thomas has posted a heartfelt tribute to her best friend Nikki Grahame on what would have been her 39th birthday.
Big Brother star Nikki sadly passed away earlier this month at age 38 following a thirty year battle with anorexia.
Sharing a series of pictures of them enjoying good times together, heartbroken Imogen wrote: “Happy birthday my angel.
“I hope you’re having a ball sipping espresso martinis singing and dancing to eastside I feel blessed to have had you as a friend and I will cherish our memories.
“Thank you May your spirit shine forever. Miss you and love u always Nik.”
Imogen has been very vocal in protecting her friend’s memory following her death.
Last week the mum-of-two became embroiled in a row with Nikki’s ex Pete Bennett after he shared the last text before she died.
Imogen accused Pete of “cruelly betraying” the memory of their fellow Big Brother star after he shared her final text message.
The message, shared with Heat magazine, read: “Hey Petie, all good my end. Starting a clinic on Monday, which is all good.”
But Imogen slammed Pete on Instagram, saying she “couldn’t stand to read another sold story by Pete Bennett”.
Sharing a screenshot of the story, she wrote: “I can’t keep quiet any longer. I can’t stand to read another sold story by Pete Bennett.
“You Pete have no shame with your endless stories about Nikki. You saw her once within a year, took a haunting photo of her, put it up on Instagram against everyone’s wishes claiming you helped her.
“You were not there for her. Now this is not about you – this is about Nikki.
“How dare you! Please allow her family and close friends grieve [sic.] and just stop cashing in at every opportunity.
“Selling last texts is the ultimate betrayal. I’m disgusted and feel for her family. Enough.”
Pete hit back at the accusations – saying he “didn’t sell anything” and the text was part of his tribute.
Nikki – who starred on Big Brother in 2006 with Imogen and Pete – was released from hospital 12 hours before her death, according to a report.
She spent three weeks in Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, before leaving on April 9.
been scheduled to start “more relaxed” private treatment.
A friend of Nikki’s believes the star would have been alive today if she had received the right treatment over the last six months.
MailOnline revealed that she was discharged from hospital twice while severely unwell, on one occasion weighing just three and a half stone.
Nikki had been open about her battle with the eating disorder. She had fought the illness since she was a child.
Nikki was first admitted to a psychiatric hospital at 12 following a suicide bid.
