TV presenter Ant McPartlin shared an emotional tribute to his late 12-year-old dog, Hurley, after his death earlier this month.
The I’m A Celebrity host, 50 and his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong made the difficult decision to put down the chocolate Labrador after he was taken ill during filming for the Britain’s Got Talent launch.
The sad occasion also reportedly marked the first time he and his ex had come face-to-face in the eight years since their divorce.
Hurkey himself, first adopted in 2013, had been caught in the middle of a tense custody battle between the pair after they had separated before coming to an agreement to share.
Both loved him fiercely, and Ant even had Hurley visit him in rehab as emotional support and credited him with helping him through his drug and alcohol addiction.
Now, a few weeks after his death, Ant has opened up about those last moments for the first time on his new podcast, Hanging Out with Ant and Dec.
Thanking fans for their support as he grieved, he explained it was ‘such a shock when he passed’.
”He passed away in my arms. We were at the vet’s and we were all there to see him, all the family, everyone that he loved was there, and it was a very sad, but it was a very lovely moment when we all got to say goodbye to him,’ he told listeners.
The mourning process has been difficult, with Ant adding: ‘I’ve cried a lot. I’ve cried… for anyone that’s lost a pet that is beloved to them, then my heart goes out to you and I know how you feel because it’s tough.’
He also reflected on the daily reminders of Hurley, such as when he is taking his two other dogs on a walk or when he is pouring their dog food – both instances bringing him to tears.
‘It’s been awful,’ he said.
Then, once more, he reiterated his gratitude to fans who have come up to share their condolences, saying it was ‘really quite soothing and it does help’.
Meanwhile, a week ago, makeup artist Lisa shared a montage of her and Hurley from his early days as a puppy up until now to the backing track of Tasha Bennett’s Love Like This.
Her celebrity friends flocked to share their support in the comments, with Sophie Ellis Bextor ‘sending lots of love’.
Emman Bunton added: ‘Sending love Lisa… I know how heartbreaking it feels to lose our fur babies.’
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