Nikki Grahame’s devastated ex Pete Bennett says she begged him to save her after she revealed secret illness to him
NIKKI Grahame's devastated ex Pete Bennett said she begged him to save her after she revealed her secret illness to him.
The 39-year-old reality star, who struck up a romance with Nikki on the 2006 series, shared his heartbreak at losing his friend.
Pete revealed that he received a phone call from her when she was at her lowest.
However, the Big Brother star explained that he was unfortunately too "busy at the time" to help her.
Speaking on Sky News today, he said: "I knew she was ill in the last lockdown - she told me not to say that she was getting care.
"She rang me up and said 'Pete I'm ill, come and get me in the clinic' - I was busy at the time."
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If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
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The TV star said he believed the UK coronavirus restrictions played a fundamental role on Nikki's mental health.
Pete said: "This lockdown has been really hard for people with mental health issues, this has really highlighted it.
"Look at what it's done. It's taken one of the best characters the world has ever seen, it's rubbish."
Pete, who had remained good friends since Nikki since they appeared on the reality show together, said that he was desperate to "drag her out of the darkness."
Pete explained that jumped in a cab to be by her side the moment he saw a fundraiser to help her battle anorexia.
He said sadly: "I was like: 'Oh my God, she's really really ill.'
"I just got in the cab and went over there with my girlfriend, who is a mental health nurse. We just tried to give her love and support.
"Me and Nikki had a great connection. I thought the love I had for her would boost her up and get her out of the darkness."
Former Big Brother star Nikki died on Friday at the age of 38 after a long battle with anorexia.
She has been fighting the illness since she was a child, and was first admitted to a psychiatric hospital at the age of 12 following a suicide bid.
At one point, Nikki had to be force fed through a nasal tube after she starved herself.
Helplines on eating disorders and body image
For help and support on eating disorders and body image, you can call Beat Eating Disorders.
Their adult helpline is 0808 201 1677. The youth helpline is on 0808 801 0711