Nikki Grahame’s mother says Big Brother star’s eating disorder ‘spiralled in lockdown’

Grahame starred in the seventh series of Big Brother in 2006

(Getty Images)

The mother of former Big Brother contestant Nikki Grahame has revealed her daughter’s eating disorder “spiralled in lockdown”.

In a new interview, the TV personality’s mother Sue said that Nikki has been battling anorexia since she was a child.

At the age of nine, Grahame was hospitalised with anorexia for the first time. A physician at Great Ormond street called hers “the worst case he’d ever seen”.

But over lockdown, her mum says it has become worse than ever before.

She told The Telegraph: “We’ve been on this road a long time, 30 years on and off, and I’ve never seen her this bad. I’m frightened that I’ll die and she’ll have no one to support her. I don’t want her to go through any of this alone.”

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Two of Nikki’s friends recently set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the private treatment she requires.

The page smashed its initial target of £25,000 within 24 hours and has now raised upwards of £65,000.

Thanks to funds raised, the 38-year-old has now checked into a facility that will offer her the specialised care she needs.

In the early noughties, Nikki was a big reality TV star with two appearances on Big Brother, as well as an appearance on the Canadian version.

Her mum Sue explained that when the fame died down, things began to worsen as her daughter felt “lost”.

Having gone back to education, which she largely missed out on because of her eating disorder in her younger years, her mother says 2020 was particularly difficult for Nikki when everything closed due to the pandemic.

She said: “This last year has just about floored her… From the first lockdown, it was hellish. She struggled because she couldn’t go to the gym.

“Then in December she fell down and cracked her pelvis in two places and broke her wrist. I stayed with her for three or four weeks because she couldn’t do anything.”

During the pandemic, eating disorders referrals for young people have doubled.

For anyone struggling with the issues raised in this piece, eating disorder charity Beat’s helpline is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677.

NCFED offers information, resources and counselling for those suffering from eating disorders, as well as their support networks. Visit eating-disorders.org.uk or call 0845 838 2040.