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Pudsey the dog, of Ashleigh and Pudsey Britain's Got Talent fame, has died

Ashleigh Butler and her dog Pudsey, who has died - Guzelian
Ashleigh Butler and her dog Pudsey, who has died - Guzelian

Pudsey the dog, who shot to fame in 2012 as the canine half of Britain's Got Talent winners Ashleigh and Pudsey, has died at the age of 11.

His owner Ashleigh Butler shared the sad news in an emotional instagram post.

"My heart is broken, and I don't know how I'm going to get through this. It hurts so much, that my handsome, incredible Pudsey Bear will never be by my side, where he belongs, again," she wrote.

Ashleigh and Pudsey during auditions for Britain's Got Talent - Credit: PA
Ashleigh and Pudsey during auditions for Britain's Got Talent Credit: PA

"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. 

"I don't need to write all of his endless accomplishments on here to prove how incredible he was for me. 

"Sleep tight my handsome man, I love you lots xxxx."

Together, the pair became the first dog act to win the ITV reality contest.

Butler, who was 17 at the time, burst into tears when presenters Ant and Dec announced her victory.

"I just want to say thank you to everyone that voted for me, and I'm just so proud of Pudsey," she said.

She then cuddled Pudsey, adding: "I love you."

After their victory, the pair went on to star in a film together, 2014's Pudsey the Dog: The Movie, in which Pudsey was voiced by David Walliams, while Butler voiced a cow named Annabella.

Culture stars who have died in 2017
Culture stars who have died in 2017