'Devastated' Tess Daly reveals family heartbreak after tragic death of Shih Tzu Minnie

Devastated Tess Daly is mourning a beloved family pet – after the TV presenter revealed she ran over and killed Maltese Shih Tzu Minnie last month.

Tess told The Sun on Sunday the small dog had gotten out of the house after builders left a door open, and tragedy struck as the 49-year-old returned home in her Range Rover. Due to the size of the car, she realised before it was too late Minnie had ran under the vehicle’s front wheels. The Strictly Come Dancing host said: “I’m devastated by this terrible accident. It’s a dog owner’s worst nightmare.

“It has had a huge effect on the whole family and we are heartbroken at losing Minnie. This has, and continues to be, a very emotional time for us all.”

The accident happened days before Tess, her TV presenter husband Vernon Kay, and their two children were set to embark on a Maldives holiday celebrating Tess turning fifty later this month.

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According to The Sun, the couple, who have been dating since 2001, considered postponing the holiday, but instead used it as an opportunity to try and cheer up their traumatised daughters Phoebe, aged 14, and Amber, aged nine.

It is understood the heartbroken family held a memorial for the beloved pooch, burying Minnie in the grounds of their £3.5million Buckingham mansion.

The couple also have a four-year-old chihuahua called blue and two Shetland Ponies called Honey and Willow.

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Speaking about coming to terms with the death of a family pet, Tess said: “It’s devastating to lose an animal — they’re a member of the family and they teach children about love and loss.

“I’ve always been an animal lover. Throughout my childhood, I begged my parents for a dog. Every year, as birthdays and Christmas approached, I pleaded, ‘Please, let me have a puppy!’

“I was determined that once I had a family of my own my children would have a dog to love. They can be joyous members of the family.”