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Britain’s Got Talent’s Ashleigh Butler reveals how she’s coping since Pudsey’s death

We miss you, Pudsey

We all remember the amazingly talented Pudsey, who jumped through hoops to victory on 2012’s Britain’s Got Talent.

And when he sadly passed away last summer, we all felt that too.

Now, Pudsey’s owner Ashleigh Butler, 23, has spoken about losing her beloved dog, saying: “I miss him so, so much, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him, something reminds me of him.”

Gorgeous Pudsey sadly passed away last July (Credit: @ashleighbutler7 Instagram)

Pudsey, who was a mixed breed of Bichon Frise, Border Collie and Chinese Crested Powderpuff, died aged 11 in July, after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine on Thursday morning, the 23-year-old confirmed her new dog, Sully – short for Sullivan – was already performing in shows, including a big BGT charity event this weekend.

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Ashleigh with Sully on Lorraine (Credit: ITV)

She said of the show, which also features fellow winners, Susan Boyle and Paul Potts: “I’m so excited for Sunday and it’s going to be such a great event.

“I’m nervous, it’s Sullivan’s first big major performance. It’s a brand new routine.

“He loves it. He loves to work.”

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Ashleigh and Sully are gearing up for their first major performance this weekend (Credit: ITV)

She added that Sully has looked after her since she lost Pudsey, saying: “He’s watching over me, he’s become very protective of me.”

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Ashleigh tried to teach Lorraine’s dog Angus a trick (Credit: ITV)

Lorraine, 58, then brought out her own dog, Angus, and Ashleigh performed some tricks with Sully, saying: “He’s normally really hyper, I think he’s a little bit tired from our early start.”

Aww! (Credit: ITV)

Read more: BGT’s Amanda Holden shares rare photo of her daughters

At the end of Jan, Ashleigh shared an emotional tribute to Pudsey, next to their final picture together.

She wrote: “Isn’t it a funny thing how something can be the last time you do it/experience it, but you don’t actually know its the last time…

This was the last picture Ashleigh had with Pudsey (Credit: @ashleighbutler7 Instagram)

“The last time you see someone, the last time you say goodbye to them, the last time you take that time with them for granted.

“This picture was taken the last time me and Pudsey worked together, and if I’d known then what I know now, I would have cherished every single second. Never take anyone or anything for granted”.

Read more: David Walliams and Amanda Holden reportedly urge Strictly to introduce same sex couples

Ashleigh also announced a new addition to her doggy family, telling followers she was bringing home a Pyrenean puppy in April.

Ashleigh is adding to her animal family (Credit: @ashleighbutler7 Instagram)

Next to a cute puppy pic, she wrote: “I wasn’t going to announce this for a few weeks, but I just cant keep quiet any longer!!!!! Introducing my new pyrenean puppy!!! I’ve had boys for a few years now, but as soon as she was born I just knew I wanted her.

“I think her name’s going to be Zulu, as I fell in love with South Africa and I found out she would be mine while I was out there. I am so excited to see her in a few weeks time and bring on April when she will be alllllll mine.”

How do you cope with the loss of a family pet? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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