Ant McPartlin was forced to rush away from the big Britain’s Got Talent launch after his dog was taken to the vets.
The TV Presenter, 50, had credited his chocolate Labrador, Hurley, with helping him through his drug and alcohol addiction.
While at the BGT launch event at the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho, London, Ant made a quick exit and was said to be ‘very upset’.
The Sun claimed that he, alongside his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong, made the difficult decision to put down the 12-year-old lab after vets said he was too ill to recover.
It’s believed Ant and Lisa were able to say goodbye and stayed with the old boy when he was put to sleep.
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Neither has shared a tribute yet, but Lisa, head makeup artist for Strictly, did post an animation of a woman with hearts rising to the sky on Instagram.
A source told the publication: ‘He was such a beautiful dog. His love for Ant and Lisa was unconditional and vice versa.’
Hurley was at the centre of the former spouses’ divorce as they entered a custody battle over him in 2018.
They had adopted him in 2013, doting on Hurley completely and in the wake of their £30million split, shared custody of him evenly.
‘Hurley’s welfare comes first and we both love him very much. That’s the way it is really,’ Ant said during the breakup.
The following year, Ant spoke about his bond with the pup, sharing: ‘There’s a loyalty and a love and a companionship with Hurley that you can’t describe.’
‘He never tells me off and is always pleased to see me,’ the I’m A Celeb presenter joked to The Sun at the time.
He proudly shared: ‘I came out of a shop the other day and there was a woman on the floor, cuddling Hurley. She said to me, “It’s the dog from the papers!” Hurley’s a celebrity.’
At the BGT event, Ant had appeared on stage with judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI before dipping out of the celebrations.
Hurley became a mini celebrity for Ant’s fans over the years, with his cheeky personality shining when Lisa shared a video of him unwilling to move on a walk – because he wanted to go to the pub.
She joked: ‘Just want to confirm Hurls is absolutely fine. I was trying to get him home but he wouldn’t go past the pub as it has treats on the bar.
‘I’d been in three times and it was getting a little embarrassing!!!! Thank you though for all the well wishes.’
Hurley even visited Ant in rehab after the presenter’s drink-driving conviction for emotional support.
In 2021, Ant remarried and now shares two Maltese Poodle crosses named Milo and Bumble with Anne-Marie Corbett, as well as welcoming son Wilder in 2024.
Metro has reached out to Ant’s team for comment.
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