Beloved Big Brother star Nikki Grahame has died after a long battle with anorexia, it has been announced.
The 38-year-old had been due to enter a private medical facility after fans raised almost £70,000 to help her beat the disease.
In an update posted to the fundraiser's page on Saturday, close friend Leon Dee wrote: "It is with great sadness, we have to let you know that our dear friend Nikki passed away in the early hours of Friday 9th April.
"It breaks our hearts to know that someone who is so precious was taken from us at such a young age. Nikki not only touched the lives of millions of people, but also her friends and family who will miss her immensely.
"We would like to request privacy at this difficult time, while Nikki's friends and family process the sad news.
"Full details will be released as and when we know them."
Grahame was one of the housemates on the seventh series of Big Brother, endearing herself to the public with her histrionics and over-the-top temper tantrums.
She went on to compete in the all-star series Ultimate Big Brother, finishing in second place, and was also a housemate across the pond in Big Brother Canada.
Grahame was open about her life-long struggles with anorexia, writing two books about living the condition, but took a turn for the worse in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic hit.
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