Nikki Grahame’s cause of death confirmed as anorexia as hospital investigates the events around her tragic end
NIKKI Grahame's cause of death has been confirmed as anorexia - but the hospital where she was treated before her tragic end has launched an investigation.
The 38-year-old died on April 9 following a long battle with the mental health illness.
A doctor has recorded Nikki's cause of death as Anorexia Nervosa.
But Daily Star reports Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust will continue to examine the events surrounding her death.
Nikki was admitted in March after fracturing her lower spine after a serious fall.
She stayed in hospital for three weeks before being discharged the day before she was found dead.
A spokesperson for Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “Staff at the Trust were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Miss Grahame, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Miss Grahame.
"A full internal investigation into the care Miss Grahame received is currently underway."
Nikki - who rose to fame on the 2006 series of Big Brother - had written a haunting last Instagram post in which she admitted she "seriously can't deal" with another lockdown.
Her passing was confirmed in a statement on her
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.
"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.";
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Nikki’s mum Sue appeared on This Morning the week after her death and said her daughter's health battle was sparked when gyms closed during lockdown as the star dreaded eating if she couldn't exercise.
She said: "With Covid, it sounds crazy but stuff like gyms closing impacted her.
"In order for her to eat she needs to know she can exercise, so when they closed it was quite a worry, the isolation as well.
"I asked her if she would come and stay with me but she said she needs to be in her home."
"She was (suffering terminal loneliness) she felt very cut off and spending too much time on her own with not enough to think about other than food.
"It all came to a grinding halt. Also for Nikki, she would muddle herself through the year knowing she's got friends abroad and she would visit them.
"She spent a lot of time last year cancelling holidays."
After first finding fame in 2006, Nikki returned to the Big Brother house for Ultimate Big Brother in 2010, where she finished as runner up to series two winner, Brian Dowling.
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Nikki also appeared as a guest housemate in series 16 in 2015 and took part in the fourth series of Big Brother Canada the following year, finishing in sixth place.
Her success on Big Brother lead to her winning a National Television Award for Most Popular TV Contender.
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As well as her TV work - which included appearances on shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats and Celebrity Coach Trip - Nikki also published two books about her battle with anorexia, Dying To Be Thin in 2009 and Fragile in 2012.
- 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.