MICHELLE Heaton posted a special moment she shared with Nikki Grahame after looking back on “dark” times.
The Big Brother star died on April 9 2021 at the age of just 38, following a long battle with anorexia.
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Yesterday marked a year from her tragic death, and many took to social media to pay tribute to their dear friend.
The Liberty X singer, 42, posted two throwback snaps of them together on her Instagram with a moving caption.
Michelle wrote: “The first image sums up our friendship more then words would say..
“Anyone who knew and loved Nikki will see exactly what I see.. joy, a love for life, free spirit, takes no bullshit, loyal, caring and the odd time, like this one, telling me off for probably flirting with a boy band member ☺️.”
Michelle also reflected on her own struggles she was going through when Nikki passed.
She continued: “This time Last year I was in a very dark place .. and I apologise for that self indulgent post I put up.
“That day I still couldn’t admit I was an addict .. yet! I just knew I would hurt you more by being there.
“Miss you chick..
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“I don’t think allot of people acknowledge how dangerous and difficult an eating disorder can cause that person and those around them.”
Many fans rushed to the comments share their love and support.
One wrote: “I bet Nikki would be so proud of you xx.”
A second said: “Beautiful words ❤️.”
“This is a lovely post honest and beautiful like you,” a third chimed in.
Days after Nikki’s death Michelle apologised for not visiting Nikki in her final days calling herself “a coward”.
The girls had been close friends for more than a decade and Michelle laid her heartbreak bare at losing the Big Brother star in an emotional post telling her “I’m so sorry I didn’t come”.
Sharing a photograph of her and Nikki having fun on the red carpet at the Vodafone Live Music Award in 2007, Michelle wrote: “I was scared to see you .. to say anything that may be a trigger to loose you..(sic) I was a coward and I’m so sorry,” she explained.
“I just listened to our voices notes, our messages, and the phone calls over the last few weeks ..I think I knew, and I was too weak to know.”
Michelle later endured a stint in rehab for her alcohol addiction.
Nikki checked into a private hospital to treat her eating disorder in March 2021 after her desperate friends managed to raise more than £65,500 to start paying for life-saving care.
However, her passing was confirmed in a statement today on her GoFundMe page.
It 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.
“Full details will be released as and when we know them.”
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