Imogen Thomas says 'there was nothing more we could do' to help Nikki Grahame beat her 'soul destroying' illness

IMOGEN Thomas has revealed there was "nothing more we could do" to help Nikki Grahame beat anorexia before her tragic death.

Nikki's doting pals rallied around her in her final weeks and even raised £65.5k to send her to a specialist clinic as they felt it was the "only option" left for their dear friend.

"There was nothing more we could do to save Nikki," heartbroken Imogen told fans last night on Instagram.

"I need time to grieve over my best friend.

"We tried everything to beat that soul destroying illness. I'm broken.

"Please hold the ones you love close and tell them you love them. Life is too short."

She added: "I'm sorry Nik. I love you."



The women shared an unbreakable bond after they shot to fame together in the 2006 series of Big Brother.

Nikki was famed for her dramatic outbursts – including her iconic "who is she?" Diary Room rant about housemate Lisa.

She also enjoyed a brief romance with eventual-winner Pete Bennett.

Meanwhile, Imogen was the former Miss Wales and after 84 days in the Big Brother house became a national pin-up.

Reacting to her best friend's death yesterday, Imogen wrote on Instagram: "

"I have no words ? I miss talking to you everyday. I miss your funny personality. I miss you impressions. I miss your tantrums. I MISS YOU. I’m utterly broken ?

"My best friend…You were special and so beautiful ? you were kind and funny. It went to far and I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you. We all tried so hard. Now your gone too early. You had so much more to give.

"You were unbelievably strong. I take comfort in all those memories we made, those epic holidays, those crazy all dayers, just sitting at home listening to Old Skool music. I will cherish them forever.

"My girls and I will love you and remember you always until we meet again ?Im sorry my angel ?"

Imogen opened up with her lasting friendship with Nikki last year.

"I see Nikki a lot. I see her at least three times as week," she told OK! magazine.

"We actually holiday together as well."

Nikki checked into a private hospital to treat her eating disorder last month after her desperate friends managed to raise more than £65,500 to start paying for life-saving care.

But her death was confirmed in a statement yesterday on her GoFundMe page.

It read: "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.

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

Signs and symptoms of anorexia

  • if you're under 18, your weight and height being lower than expected for your age
  • if you're an adult, having an unusually low body mass index
  • missing meals, eating very little or avoiding eating any foods you see as fattening
  • believing you are fat when you are a healthy weight or underweight
  • taking medication to reduce your hunger (appetite suppressants)
  • your periods stopping (in women who have not reached menopause) or not starting (in younger women and girls)
  • physical problems, such as feeling dizzy, dry skin and hair loss

"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."

  • For help and support on eating disorders and body image, you can call Beat Eating Disorders on 0808 201 1677 for adults, or 0808 801 0711 if you are under 18.

 

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