Nikki Grahame's Big Brother co-star and ex Pete Bennett has called her "one of the best characters the world's seen" following her death from anorexia on Friday.
Nikki and Pete met on Big Brother 7 in 2006 and dated for around a month, remaining friends ever since.
Speaking to Sky News on Monday, Pete paid further tribute and spoke about the impact lockdown had on her battle with anorexia nervosa.
He said: "When I found out she was ill in the last lockdown - she told me not to say she was getting care - but she rang me up and said 'Pete I'm ill, come and get me in the clinic'.
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"But this lockdown happened and I remember seeing the fundraiser Carly and Leon had made... and I was like 'oh my god she's really, really ill, man'.
"I was in London at the time and I just went and got in the cab and went over there, [with] my girlfriend who is a mental health nurse, and we just tried to give her as much love and support... and because it's me... I thought the love I had would just boost her up and get her out the darkness."
Discussing anorexia and the horrible impact it had, the reality star added: "Look at what it's done, it's taken one of the best characters that the world's ever seen, it's just rubbish man."
Nikki died on Friday aged 38, just weeks after checking into a private hospital using £65,500 funded by friends and fans.
Her death was announced in a statement on Saturday on the GoFundMe page that had been set up to support her stay in hospital.
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The statement 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. 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.
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"Full details will be released as and when we know them."
Nikki had battled with anorexia since she was a child, with her mother, Sue Grahame, recently confirming that lockdown had made her condition worse, during an interview on This Morning.
If you, or anyone you know, has been affected by an eating disorder, you can find help and support at eating disorder charity, Beat.
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