Fur-well, Pudsey . . . the dancing dog who won BGT is dead at just 11
HE stole the nation’s hearts with his clever tricks, dance moves and endless enthusiasm.
But Pudsey the dog, who won Britain’s Got Talent with his owner Ashleigh Butler in 2012, has died at the age of 11.
Announcing the news yesterday, Miss Butler, 22, described the cross-breed – who was her 11th birthday present – as her ‘handsome man’ and said she was heartbroken by the loss.
The pair became overnight hits following their first Flintstones-themed audition for the ITV show, with presenter Ant McPartlin saying ‘a doggy star is born’.
After winning the competition and the £500,000 prize, they went on to perform in front of the Queen. Pudsey became so famous he had to be protected by round-the-clock security and secured a top celebrity agent.
His ‘autobiography’ was published in 2012, reportedly earning him £100,000, and he starred in his own film, Pudsey the Dog: the Movie, two years later.
Earlier this year, the dancing dog competed in the Agility Championship at Crufts. It had already been agreed this would be his last high-level competition, but he was expected to remain active for several more years.
In her announcement on social media yesterday, Miss Butler wrote: ‘I can’t honestly believe I am writing these words. My handsome man has gone, and I don’t know what to do without him. My heart is broken. It hurts so much that my incredible Pudsey Bear will never be by my side, where he belongs, again. ‘We only had 11 years together, but they were the best years ever. He was my one in a billion dog that will never be replaced.’