Geri Horner has shared her heartbreak after the death of her dog, who she said kept her company when she was lonely.

The Spice Girl, 48, posted a string of pictures of her dog, Daddy, on Instagram as she paid tribute.

“Goodbye to my special little friend, Daddy the dog,” wrote the singer alongside a sweet snap of her snuggling up to the pooch.

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“He kept me company when I was lonely,” said Horner, who is mum to daughter Bluebell, 14, and three-year-old son Montague.

“He was my little baby before I had Bluebell.

“After eighteen years he has gone to doggy heaven.”

“Rest in peace, We love you,” she added.

Horner received plenty of messages from fans, fellow animal lovers and celebrity friends after revealing that Daddy had died.

Writer Matt Haig shared a string of hearts and This Morning star Ruth Langsford wrote: “I’m so sorry Geri... you gave him all the love in the world and a wonderful life... hold your memories tight.”

Horner’s sad news comes days after she shared a Christmas message praising the work of NHS staff and the likes of Captain Tom Moore as 2020 comes to an end.

The star addressed fans in the latest episode of her YouTube series Rainbow Woman, urging them to stay positive after a “difficult and sad” year.

“Lots of us have faced loss, bereavement and loneliness, and I’ve got to say, it has been downright frightening to live through a global pandemic,” she said.

“So many people have had real struggles with mental health, as well as physical health, work, and the motivation to keep cheerful.”

Praising Captain Tom and footballer Marcus Rashford for his campaign to end child hunger, she told fans: “The new year is dawning, the flame of the future ls lit, and it’s ours to protect and carry forward.

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“We have challenges to face, but in the year ahead we are ready to meet them, we have a new order of kindness and thoughtfulness.

“We have learned that people with small voices need to be heard.”

Watch: Geri Horner delivers Christmas presents to NHS workers