Big Brother contestant Nikki Grahame has sadly passed away aged 38 following a battle with anorexia nervosa.
The reality television star had checked herself into a private hospital in an attempt to overcome her eating disorder last months after fans raised over £65,000 to fund her treatment.
A message on the GoFundMe page, posted today, announced that Grahame died in the early houses of Friday, April 9th. The statement reads: "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 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."
(Credit: Alamy)
"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," the statement continues. "All donations have been greatly appreciated and it was heartwarming for everyone including Nikki to see how much she was loved.
"Funds will be held safely in this GoFundMe until we have established an organisation supporting those suffering from anorexia to which we will make a donation in Nikki's memory. We will post updates for you with more details as soon as we have them."
"Rest In Peace, Nikki. We love you & not a day will go by without missing your smile. X X X," they added.
Two weeks ago, Nikki's mother, Susan, appeared on This Morning to discuss her daughter's struggle with anorexia. "I spoke to Nikki this morning and she said, 'Mum, please stress how overwhelmed I am at people's kindness towards me'," she told the hosts. "I just don't get it, but I am so grateful. Also tell everybody that I'm going to try my level best this time to beat this. I want to get my life back".
Heartbreaking details have been released after it was announced that Prince William's close friend and reality star Ben Duncan tragically passed away at the age of 45.
Duncan, who rose to fame as a contestant on Season 11 of Big Brother, fell approximately 100 feet from the rooftop bar of the five-star Trafalgar St. James Hotel in Westminster on Thursday (October 30) night.
According to the Metropolitan Police, officers were called to the scene on Cockspur Street at 11:02PM following reports of “a man on the roof".
A spokesperson confirmed: “The man sadly fell from height. Despite the best efforts from the London Ambulance Service, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His death is unexpected but non-suspicious," The Sun reported.
Ben Duncan appeared on Big Brother. Credit: Justin Goff Photos / Getty
A Wave of Tributes From Friends And Celebrities
Following news of his sudden death, tributes flooded in from friends and former colleagues.
Josie Gibson, who won Big Brother the year Duncan competed, called him “one of the most unique, hilariously funny, dry-witted guys I know,” adding: “My heart goes out to Ben and his family. I love you Ben."
TV presenter Lizzie Cundy wrote on X: “So shocked and heartbroken to hear my friend Ben Duncan has passed away. A beautiful soul with a large fun character. We laughed so much about the silly things in life. God bless you dear Ben. You are a one off.”
Broadcaster Mike Hollingsworth said: “He lived life as Peter Pan - the boy who never grew up. He will be sorely missed by his many, many friends, who grew to love his charm, his wit, his infectious laugh and his innate sense of style."
A source close to Duncan told The Mail: “Although he appeared on reality TV shows, Ben’s true passions were politics and music. In recent years, he had become more reclusive - and had struggled with insomnia. It’s truly devastating that he's gone so soon.”
Bob Duncan died after falling from the roof of a luxury West End hotel. Credit: Eamonn M. McCormack / Getty
From Royal Circles To Reality TV
Duncan had been part of the inner circle of Prince William and Princess Catherine during their university years at St Andrews, where the royal couple famously met and began dating.
He was present at the iconic moment when the 43-year-old royal walked the catwalk in a sheer dress that reportedly caught her soon-to-be husband's eye.
“It was the end of their first year. I was there, and in person there were a lot of attractive girls,” Duncan said. “She was in a very daring dress, in a sheer stocking-like dress. He was sitting front row and his eyes were like stalks."
"She brushed by him on the way to the catwalk and things were never the same again - the whole history of the monarchy had been altered," he added.
Recalling their university days, he once shared: “Because we'd had Will and Kate in our midst we had royal protection officers swarming the place. We knew that they had hit it off and we knew that something was happening, but they were just left alone to get on with it.”
Duncan remained a familiar face in royal commentary, even appearing in broadcasts during the royal wedding in 2011.
Duncan went to the same university as Princess Catherine and Prince William. Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo / Getty
A Complicated Public Figure
Beyond his connections to the royals, Duncan carved out a name for himself on British television.
He became known for his dry wit and upper-class persona on Big Brother, where he often clashed with fellow contestants but became a fan favourite for his sharp humour.
“I’ve been brought up to be quite sarcastic, and that can come across as b****y. If they hurt people’s feelings then I regret that,” he said in a post-show interview with Digital Spy.
Speaking about his decision to enter the house, Duncan admitted he didn’t tell friends or family he had applied. He joked that his one luxury item would be “a competent hairdresser and stylist".
He also featured on Come Dine With Me, Celebrity Coach Trip, and Ladette to Lady, and presented More Than A Mistress.
Reality TV fans are mourning the loss of Season 27 contestant Mickey C. Lee, who passed away on Christmas Day at just 35 years old.
Her family confirmed the heartbreaking news on Instagram, just days after revealing she had suffered multiple cardiac arrests and was fighting for her life in the ICU.
Mickey's health crisis was first made public on December 23, when her loved ones launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with soaring medical costs.
The fundraiser was promoted on her official Instagram, where they shared the extent of her condition.
Mickey Lee has passed away. Credit: Paras Griffin / Getty
Family reveals Mickey was in critical condition before passing
The post read that following several cardiac arrests, Mickey was “in the ICU in critical but stable condition.”
It added: “This sudden health crisis has left Mickey and her family facing enormous emotional and financial strain from mounting hospital bills to ongoing care and recovery costs.”
The GoFundMe quickly gained traction, raising $31,807 at the time this story was published - reaching 80% of the initial goal.
But just two days later, on December 25, her family returned with the news no one wanted to hear.
“With profound sadness, the family of Mickey Lee announces her transition on Christmas in the early evening,” they wrote.
“Mickey captured the hearts of audiences nationwide through her appearance on Big Brother, where her authenticity, strength, and spirit left a lasting impression on fans and fellow cast members alike.
"She will be remembered for the joy she brought into the lives of so many and for the genuine connections she formed both on and off screen.
"The family extends their deepest gratitude to everyone who has offered prayers, love, and support during this incredibly difficult time. Your kindness has been felt and is sincerely appreciated.”
They ended the post with a request for privacy and a powerful final tribute: “Mickey’s light, legacy, and impact will never be forgotten.”
Mickey joined the cast of “Big Brother” Season 27 earlier in 2025, but her journey on the show ended after 59 days, when she was evicted from the house. That was just three months before her tragic death.
Brandi Mallory, of Extreme Weight Loss fame, has sadly passed away at just 40 years of age.
Speaking to People, a rep for the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office revealed that the reality star lost her life on November 9 in Stone Mountain, Georgia. It is not clear whether a cause of death has been determined as of yet.
Mallory was best known for appearing in the fourth season of the ABC show which aired in 2014.
Some years later, in 2018, she revealed how she managed to land a spot on the series during an interview with local Atlanta journalist Kirby Carroll.
During the chat, she shared that it was one of her sorority sisters passing away at just 29 years of age that encouraged her to lead a healthier lifestyle - which included shedding the pounds by eating healthier food.
"I was literally waking up every day like... this may be my last day waking up, like, I don't know what's going to happen for me," she said at the time. "When it's playing on your mind that I might need to do something about my weight, because I'm afraid I might die too, then you might need to pay attention to something like that."
Elsewhere in the interview, the makeup artist revealed that she was made aware of a casting call for The Biggest Loser, and while she wasn't selected for that particular show, the production team sent her details to Extreme Weight Loss.
"Literally every footstep since then has been God. I prayed over that application before I sent it off; I prayed every step of the way," she said.
It was revealed on Extreme Weight Loss that, at her heaviest, Mallory weighed in at 329 lbs. During her time on the show, she took part in the Half Ironman, a fitness challenge consisting of swimming, cycling and running. She managed to do the aforementioned physical activities for a total of 70.3 miles in less than eight hours.
After her time of the show, Mallory explored dance as a way of keeping fit. She would regularly share her passion for makeup as well as her love of fitness with her fans on social media. The 40-year-old's last post was uploaded on November 3.
Mallory's loved ones paid tribute to her with a candlelight vigil on November 12. According to her obituary, a memorial service will take place on Sunday, November 19, 2023 in Lithonia, Georgia.
One of the stars who appeared on a later season of Extreme Weight Loss, Kim Williams Maxile, honored Mallory in a post to Instagram on November 9.
"Rest in Love sis," she wrote in the caption of the post, which consisted of a video of her and Mallory. "To my fellow Extreme Weight Loss @extweightloss sis, @brandimallory you will be missed. I’ll never forget while I was at boot camp for season 5 we watched your season and it inspired us to keep going. "
She added: "You truly made an impact on this world with your zest and your passion for body positivity. I’m blessed to have gotten to experienced you in this world."
The ex-wife of celebrity bodybuilder Rich Piana has today broken the news that many of his dedicated fans will have been dreading. After being placed in a coma just a month ago, Piana has sadly passed away.
Using her Instagram account to broadcast the tragic news, Sarah Piana wrote these heartfelt words:
"I'm in tears writing this that @1dayumay has just passed away. I can can hardly believe this... I am so saddened & heartbroken that he didn't make it."
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"I just want to say THANK YOU Rich for teaching me so much about life, whether it was the easy or the hard way. We had our ups and downs but we sure had an awesome time in each other's presence along with us fighting through some dark times together. You truly touched many people's heart and helped so many!!! It inspired me in many ways to see the huge impact you had on people all over the world. Not many people know that me and him are STILL legally married till this day despite all rumors. I have NOTHING to gain by saying that but want everyone to know the truth. I know that people say stuff on social media but I truly am not the "bad" person people think I am. I actually saved Rich's life 1 time before, glad I was there for him at that time. Rich, I hope you feel better now in heaven and that you're up there healthy, smiling & telling everyone "how it is, being REAL & doing your thing". Rest In Peace my dear husband. #GoneButNeverForgotten#RichPiana#RIP ? ??❤️. P.S. I want to wish my deepest condolence to Chanel @c_no5 and thanking her for being there for him, loving him & showing him support. You're an angel. We will all miss him so much, may his soul & spirit Rest In Peace Forever??. XOXO Sara Piana. . . ."
Piana, 46, made his name as an elite bodybuilder and as a former winner of Mr California, and was rushed to hospital on on 10 August after falling ill at home.
This sad news, while still officially unconfirmed, comes a week after Piana's girlfriend, Chanel Jansen, posted a photo of the couple holding hands in hospital - and asked for positive messages from Rich's army of fans.
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The lack of official confirmation has not stopped tributes from flooding in on social media. Fellow professional bodybuilder Dan Fine posted his own touching tribute:“RIP to my great brother in iron @1dayumay #richpiana. Love you brother and I know you’re crushing it at the Great Gym in the Sky.
"You’ve left behind a legion of friends and fans the world over.”
Stan McQuay, who was lightheavyweight national champion 2006, posted: “Rich @1dayumay has passed. Rich and I go way back to 1995.........He is now looking down upon us.....May he R.I.P.”
As we wait for the true details surrounding Piana's sad demise, it's clear that despite courting controversy throughout his career, he has touched the lives of many who met him. Our sincere condolences go out to the Piana family and anyone else affected by this sad news.
Storage Hunters star and former Celebrity Big Brother contestant Heavy D has passed away at the age of 43.
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As reported by The Independent, tributes have flooded in for Heavy D - real name Colin Newell - following his death. The cause of his passing is currently unknown.
Heavy D is perhaps best known for appearing on the UK version of Storage Hunters, on which he earned the nickname "The Boominator" because of his habit of yelling "Boom" while bidding.
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The star was also a contestant on the celebrity version of reality series Big Brother in 2016, and was evicted in the fourth week.
Heavy D's friend, actor Nick Nevern, tweeted a heartfelt tribute to the late star, writing:
"I’m very shocked & saddened to hear of the passing of my friend @HeavyHeavyd u lived ur life the way u wanted to & fuck anyone who didn’t like it! U always brought a smile to my face bro & lifted any room you where in. #RIPHeavyD"
Heavy D was also an outspoken fan of Arsenal Football Club, and would frequently appear on AFTV for interviews on his beloved team
AFTV have since tweeted: "We are shocked to hear the sad news that Heavy D has passed away today. Our condolences go to his family at this very sad time. #RIPHeavyD"
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