Big Brother’s Nikki Grahame starts GoFundMe for anorexia treatment as eating disorder returns

Warning: fundraising link contains images that some readers may find triggering or distressing

Grahame in 2018 (Getty Images)

Friends of Nikki Grahame have started a fundraiser to help raise money for the Big Brother star’s anorexia treatment.

The TV personality has long struggled with the eating disorder, with her friends asking for support for Grahame on GoFundMe.

“As some of you may know, Nikki is battling anorexia,” the page reads. “She has been battling for most of her life and as you can see, Nikki is now in a very bad way so we need to do something quickly.”

Explaining that treatment on the NHS had failed, her friends said that Grahame, who was first diagnosed with the eating disorder when she was just eight years old, was looking to be treated at a specialist clinic to “give her the chance of kicking this illness to the curb once and for all”.

“At the moment, Nikki constantly feels weak and is struggling on a day to day basis,” they  wrote. “She feels trapped and really wants to get better but feels like it’s impossible. It’s heart-breaking and we desperately just want a healthy and well Nikki back with us… We want to help save our friend from letting this illness beat her.”

Grahame leaves the Big Brother house in 2006 (Getty Images)

At the time of writing, £40,000 has been raised for Grahame, with her friends saying that treatment at a private facility will cost £25,000 a month. Both Rylan Clark-Neal and Vanessa Feltz have donated £500 to the campaign.

A representative for Grahame, who rose to fame on the reality series in 2006, told The Sun: “It is with sadness that we can confirm Nikki’s battle with anorexia has worsened in recent months and those closest to her are doing everything they can to assist with her recuperation, most notably in the form of a GoFundMe page.

“We are confident Nikki will be able to make a full recovery and she would personally like to thank everyone for their kind words, wishes and donations today and beyond.”

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.