Nikki Grahame’s ex Pete Bennett and best friend Imogen Thomas in explosive row after he shared last text before she died
NIKKI Grahame's ex Pete Bennett and her best friend Imogen Thomas are in an explosive row after he shared the tragic star's final text.
Nikki sadly passed away earlier this month at age 38 following a thirty year battle with anorexia.
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.
Sharing a picture of him and Nikki after leaving Big Brother, he wrote: "In such a sad time of grief I’ve just had to witness Imogen Thomas trying to publicly shame me on her Instagram.
"You know, ‘Nikki’s best friend’. I’m sorry but how cruel can you get? Now, About selling the final text, I didn’t sell anything, my tribute to Nikki in heat mag was from the heart and for no money and I sent love to nikkis family and friends in it too.
"Contrary to what Imogen is saying, Nikki gave me permission to upload the final picture of us saying it was a ‘lovely picture’.
"I put a link underneath the picture of the fundraiser to raise some funds for her care so she could get better whilst Imogen was promoting McCain oven chips and sending me daggers.
"The only person who sent me any negativity at the time was Imogen whilst I was trying to do my best for Nikki and has continued to troll me ever since , but I kept it to myself and didn’t make it public. Meanwhile everybody else has been supportive to me.
"I may not of seen Nikki as much as I used to see her the last year but we were always in contact and when I found out she was really ill I did everything I could to b there for her.
"Imogen’s efforts at trolling me has gone too far now whilst I’m trying to grieve for Nikki and this crazy ownership Imogen thinks she has over (who nikkis friends are) needs to be stopped. I never claimed to be nikkis ‘best friend’ , but actions speak louder than words.
"Get over it Imogen, I was nikkis friend and leave me the fuck alone to grieve. Maybe you could do a nice tribute for her instead of lying about me publicly for attention
"Anyway I’ve had enough of fake people and bullies. And I won’t be shamed publicly by this troll for being a good mate when Nikki needed support and will stick up for myself in any way I can, Love you Nikki ❤️"
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.
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Her body was discovered the following day at her London home. She had 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.
revealed that she was discharged from hospital twice while severely unwell, on one occasion weighing just three and a half stone.
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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.