Yahoo News Ashleigh Butler in tears over Pudsey on This Morning
Ashleigh Butler broke down in tears over her dog Pudsey during a live interview on This Morning today (July 24).
The double act won Britain's Got Talent in 2012 but sadly, after 11 years together, the pooch passed away on Thursday (July 20) after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
Explaining what happened, Ashleigh told presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford: "I was actually at a dogs' show with with him last weekend, then on the Monday he just wasn't himself.
"He was sleeping a lot so we took him to the vet on Tuesday. From Tuesday to Thursday, he went downhill so quickly.
"The vet told us he had acute leukaemia, then on the Thursday, it got to the point where he couldn't lift his head. It was so sad anyway but because it was so quick... It still hasn't sunk in."
With that, Ashleigh teared up as Ruth and Eamonn tried to comfort her.
The BGT star went on to reveal that she was hoping Pudsey could retire from competing in dog shows and so was training up another dog of the same breed called Sullivan.
"I've had Sully for four years – he grew up with Pudsey," she continued. "They were like brothers. Sully looked up to him. They went for walks together, they were inseparable.
"Sully knows something's not right now that Pudsey's not here. He's feeling a bit lonely at the moment but we have each other."
There were reports that Ashleigh had renamed Sully as Pudsey – however, that is not true.
She added: "No, Sully is Sully. I can't and won't change him. There was always going to be a point where Sully took over from Pudsey, just so that Pudsey could enjoy retirement. But I didn't expect it to happen like this.
"I think carrying on what Pudsey started will help me. He gave me opportunities that I never thought I would ever have."
This Morning is on ITV weekdays at 10.30am.
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