Pete Bennett, the winner of Big Brother 7, has tearfully revealed that Nikki Grahame begged him for help just weeks before her death at the age of 38. In an emotional interview with Sky News, Bennett described a phone call from Grahame during the latest lockdown, in which she pleaded: 'Pete, I'm ill, come and get me from the clinic.'
Bennett, who briefly dated Grahame after their time on the show, said he was unable to help at the time because he was busy. However, when he later saw a fundraiser set up by Grahame's friends to send her for private anorexia treatment, he travelled to London with his girlfriend, a mental health nurse, to offer support. 'We just tried to give her as much love and support,' he said.
The pair remained close friends after their split in 2006. Bennett shared a final photograph of them together, taken just four weeks before her death, captioned: 'Pete and Nikki March 2021 visiting my nikki and still cuddling to this day.' He recalled singing Kate Bush songs with her during that visit, adding: 'I'm just sad that it was the last song we ever sang.'
Bennett paid tribute to Grahame's best friend Carly, who had organised the fundraiser, saying: 'My heart goes out to her, because I know what it's like to lose a best friend, especially when you're trying to save them.' He also thanked fans for their support, describing Grahame as 'one of the best characters the world's ever seen.'
Grahame's death has highlighted the impact of lockdown on those with mental health issues. Bennett said: 'This lockdown has been really hard for people with mental health issues, this has really highlighted it.' He urged anyone struggling to seek help, providing details for the eating disorder charity SEED.
