[James]

4 September 2005

NADIA IN THE PRIORY

But she checks out after 24hrs cos she says they're all potty! Big Bruv '04 winner now battling depression

By Debbie Manley And Alice Walker

BIG Brother sex swap girl Nadia Almada checked into the posh Priory clinic with depression - and then walked out because the place was driving her bonkers.

The busty transsexual winner of last year's show (left) was devastated after her fame began to fade and she was dumped by her showbiz agent.

The latest blow came after she was ditched by her boyfriend.

She admitted herself on Thursday to the North London clinic, which specialises in celebs' mental problems - then left the next morning.

A source close to Nadia, 28, said: "It was driving her mad in there. She wanted professional help. But after one night she realised it was all too much."

The source continued: "Nadia feels her career has hit a dead-end. She doesn't know where to go from here.

"She's been dropped by her management and is worried about not getting work. She's really depressed and isn't coping. It's so sad. Nadia's a lovely person."

After leaving The Priory, Nadia called fellow BB contestant Dan Bryan. The source went on: "They are close. When she told him she checked out to avoid going mad, he laughed and said she WAS mad."

Dan told The People: "For someone who is insecure this industry can be harsh. I plan to keep a close eye on her."

Portugese-born Nadia, who has shed weight and gone blonde since winning BB, was badly hurt when she lost South African lover Richard in May.

Nadia was not available to comment yesterday.

Is THIS why her head's not right?

THINGS may be getting on top of Nadia, but that didn't stop her getting a new hairstyle from fellow Big Brother star Craig Coates just before she went in the Priory.

Nadia popped into an Essex salon to ask camp crimper Craig, 20, for blonde extensions. A pal said: "She and Craig hit it off straight away. They got on like a house on fire."

Viewers of series six saw Craig struggle with his sexuality while transsexual Nadia was once a man called Jorge. Just as well it was a unisex salon then.

http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_obje...name_page.html