Big Brother hosts Davina McCall and Rylan Clark-Neal lead the tributes to Nikki Grahame

‘She really was the sweetest girl’: Big Brother hosts Davina McCall and Rylan Clark-Neal lead the tributes to Nikki Grahame after reality star dies aged 38 after a long battle with anorexia

Big Brother hosts Davina McCall and Rylan Clark-Neal have led the tributes to former contestant Nikki Grahame following her death aged 38 following a long battle with anorexia. 

Nikki, who rose to fame on the seventh series of Big Brother in 2006 passed away in the early hours of Friday morning – just one month after her friends started a GoFundMe page for anorexia treatment.

Taking to Twitter, original Big Brother host Davina McCall, 53, penned: ‘I am so desperately sad to hear about Nikki Graham x my thoughts are with her friends and family xx she really was the funniest , most bubbly sweetest girl.’

Rest in peace: Big Brother hosts Davina McCall and Rylan Clark-Neal have led the tributes to former contestant Nikki Grahame following her death aged 38 following a long battle with anorexia

While Rylan Clark-Neal, 32, who presented Big Brother’s Bit On The Side shared an image of Nikki alongside the words: ‘Thinking of Susan and Nikki’s close friends and family. A Big Brother Icon x.’

Her sad death was confirmed online by her friend Leon Dee on Saturday.

A statement on the GoFundMe page 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. 

Tributes: Former BB hosts Davina and Rylan shared heartfelt words about Big Brother icon Nikki following her tragic death

Tributes: Former BB hosts Davina (left) and Rylan shared heartfelt words about Big Brother icon Nikki following her tragic death

Tributes: Former BB hosts Davina (left) and Rylan shared heartfelt words about Big Brother icon Nikki following her tragic death

‘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.

‘All donations have been greatly appreciated and it was heartwarming for everyone including Nikki to see how much she was loved.’

Words: Taking to Twitter, Davina, 53, penned: 'I am so desperately sad to hear about Nikki Graham x my thoughts are with her friends and family xx she really was the funniest , most bubbly sweetest girl'

Words: Taking to Twitter, Davina, 53, penned: ‘I am so desperately sad to hear about Nikki Graham x my thoughts are with her friends and family xx she really was the funniest , most bubbly sweetest girl’

Gone too soon: While Rylan, 32, who presented Big Brother's Bit On The Side shared an image of Nikki alongside the words: 'Thinking of Susan and Nikki’s close friends and family. A Big Brother Icon x'

Gone too soon: While Rylan, 32, who presented Big Brother’s Bit On The Side shared an image of Nikki alongside the words: ‘Thinking of Susan and Nikki’s close friends and family. A Big Brother Icon x’

In the wake of the bad news, a host of names from the world of showbiz took to social media to share their sadness of the death of Nikki. 

Nikki’s fellow Big Brother 7 star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace shared her complete shock at the news, sharing a snap of Nikki with the words: ‘I can’t breath.’

While fellow housemate Glyn Wise, who came runner-up in their series, shared a photo of himself and Nikki as he declared he was ‘beyond upset’ at her passing.

Stunned: Nikki's fellow Big Brother 7 star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace shared her complete shock at the news, sharing a snap of Nikki with the words: 'I can't breath'

Stunned: Nikki’s fellow Big Brother 7 star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace shared her complete shock at the news, sharing a snap of Nikki with the words: ‘I can’t breath’ 

Devastated: While fellow housemate Glyn Wise, who came runner-up in their series, shared a photo of himself and Nikki as he declared he was 'beyond upset' at her passing

Devastated: While fellow housemate Glyn Wise, who came runner-up in their series, shared a photo of himself and Nikki as he declared he was ‘beyond upset’ at her passing

He wrote: ‘Beyond Upset! Devastating news about the passing of Nikki Graham. A true icon and the real winner of Big Brother 7! I will always remember your laughter, your smile, your tantrums and bluntness. But more than anything I’ll remember your zest for life. I love you always Nikki xxx.’