You could tell she had really relapsed in recent years although I'm not sure she was ever really free from anorexia. She stopped posting on Instagram for the past year because people would comment on how she looked. She was a very charming character and the embodiment of reality TV icon that others tried to copy over the years but none were quite like Nikki. She was one of a kind. RIP.
- Notice
YellowLadybird
Chatty Member
The point that makes me angry, and isn't really emphasised in the reports, is the mess that the MH Bed System is and how it contributed to her death.
Nikki had a place on an ED unit right before she died - but because she was too weak to climb stairs, they refused to accept her, and she was SENT HOME, where she died overnight. Now her body may have been too far gone to change that outcome, I don't know. But if she'd been in a hospital, someone would have been checking up on her, and there's a chance she might have been revived.
How can someone be TOO SICK for a mental health unit, but well enough to GO HOME?
Nikki had a place on an ED unit right before she died - but because she was too weak to climb stairs, they refused to accept her, and she was SENT HOME, where she died overnight. Now her body may have been too far gone to change that outcome, I don't know. But if she'd been in a hospital, someone would have been checking up on her, and there's a chance she might have been revived.
How can someone be TOO SICK for a mental health unit, but well enough to GO HOME?
Shesaidwhat?
VIP Member
I’m gutted out of all the BB contestants I think Nikki was the most fondly remembered.
Bless her the fact she was too scared to eat as the gyms were closed is heartbreaking.
I hope she’s at peace now.
Bless her the fact she was too scared to eat as the gyms were closed is heartbreaking.
I hope she’s at peace now.
I’ve removed the photo from the thread, my first instinct was to do just that but I didn’t want to force my opinion on the thread.
I shouldn’t have doubted that decision, I do wish he’d remove it from his Instagram, she shouldn’t be remembered like that and it’s so dangerous for so many vulnerable people to see.
I’m anxious even posting here because this is a pressure cooker I don’t really want to be around. But I also needed to check everyone here was ok, and safe, it doesn’t have to end like this, but it’s such a powerful illness it’s rare anyone really escapes it.
rip
The Devils Arse
VIP Member
I remember watching nikki on BB when I was a teenager, and being irrationally jealous of her as I thought she had a lovely figure, a fun life etc. Just goes to show what people are going through IRL and how it's portrayed. Knowing what I know now, i wouldn't wish her pain on anyone.
That's very sad. Poor girl. I remember watching her on Big Brother and feeling so envious of how skinny and tiny she was. I was very stupid and didn't appreciate the seriousness and devastation that her eating disorder causes.
I was rooting for her to turn things around.
May she rest in peace.
I was rooting for her to turn things around.
May she rest in peace.
Sideboard Bob
VIP Member
I know what you mean @TripleC's . I think it’s nice to share classic BB memories of hers, I read somewhere that she went into the house because she wanted to be known for being on Big Brother and not for her illness.
There was a moment involving Nikki on BB I’ll never forget (have never found a clip though).
The housemates were given a task to “find out” the meaning of life. A few of them were sitting in the Big Brother garden, having a serious discussion about it, then Nikki suddenly stormed past and said “I don’t care about the meaning of life, all I care about is the 1980s!”. It makes me laugh every time I think about it.
There was a moment involving Nikki on BB I’ll never forget (have never found a clip though).
The housemates were given a task to “find out” the meaning of life. A few of them were sitting in the Big Brother garden, having a serious discussion about it, then Nikki suddenly stormed past and said “I don’t care about the meaning of life, all I care about is the 1980s!”. It makes me laugh every time I think about it.
TripleC's
Chatty Member
yeah , i think she came in and had to immediately put someone up for eviction, and that was both Nikki and Grace , i remember it was Grace who was evicted and with no class got up and threw water on Suzie as she left. We got the classic "who is she" line.
Ive got a mixture of sadness and chuckles , ive remembered the task with the silent disco , they all had a walkman and earphones and had to remain dancing and Nikki couldnt get hers to work , she had a bit of a tantrum and i think Glynn helped her get it to work, so you can picture her having a tantrum about it not working, then immediatly dancing as if nothing had happened. if you loved BB then Nikki will always be in the top half a dozen characters that are remembered forever.
Beaversabout
Chatty Member
I cried when her mum said about cuddling the penguin. It was so so sad. 
lozzapaloozza
VIP Member
My favourite Nikki moment that I reference all the time - “he’s got a mountain of cornflakes and a whole bag of sugar”. RIP angel x
Chinese_whispers
VIP Member
Hi gastro Doctor here. I deal with a lot of ED patients in Ireland and you can’t tube feed someone just because they need it - here at least, unsure about UK but I’d imagine it’s fairly similar. It’s incredibly difficult to get done. The patient needs to be made a ward of court / paper signed that says they can’t make their own decisions. That has to be co-decided by an independent doctor and two psychologists. The family also have to agree. That process alone can take weeks.
Then there’s a chance that doesn’t work, patients who don’t want to eat are extremely savvy at getting the food out. This in turn breaks down their relationship with the medical team and their families and the outcome can be worse than not doing it at all.
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lilamay
VIP Member
It's so tragic. The mental health services in this country are not fit for purpose, and Nikki is one of the countless sufferers who've died as a result.
This diagram sums it up with painful accuracy:
It's all very well having 'mental heath awareness' campaigns but the services need proper funding to be able to offer adequate support.
This diagram sums it up with painful accuracy:
It's all very well having 'mental heath awareness' campaigns but the services need proper funding to be able to offer adequate support.
MissGlitzyRitzy
VIP Member
This video where Nikiki was talking to Vanessa Feltz sums up her kind heart.
She was empathetic person with a lot of love for her family, friends and strangers.
Not forgetting....
who is she???
Iconic TV when people were real...
What a loss
AlanBanan
VIP Member
Weirdly enough my favourite Nikki moment is not from big brother. It’s from an Irish reality show that was called Celebrity Salon and her just saying in a country accent “I’ll put your hair in a lovely plait, now would that suit you” and it made me laugh and I still quote it to this day.
Cracking girl x
Cracking girl x
Kim Mild
VIP Member
In an indirect way, lockdown has lead to her death.
Tinkerbell cat
VIP Member
I absolutely loved Nikki. Probably my favourite ever housemate throughout the BB era. She just cracked me up with her facial expressions, her tantrums and her iconic one liners liking calling Richard a ''Fat Ox''. Also really enjoyed her spin off shows, Princess Nikki where she was sent different places to work, a farm, a chippy and a fishing boar being a few haha. 38 is really no age at all 
I went through some of her BB buddies instargram pages. Grace, Imogen, Aisleyne, Pete, Richard all had some lovely posts about her.
Hopefully she is free from any pain now.
I went through some of her BB buddies instargram pages. Grace, Imogen, Aisleyne, Pete, Richard all had some lovely posts about her.
Hopefully she is free from any pain now.
HinchythetwattyGrinchy
Well-known member
This is too close to home for me. I’ve struggled with eating disorders on and off for years. R.I.P Nikki - the best Big Brother contestant. X