Yahoo News Strictly’s Gemma Atkinson announces heartbreaking loss of "loved one"
Strictly Come Dancing star Gemma Atkinson has admitted her "heart is broken" after announcing the death of her beloved dog Norman.
The former Hollyoaks actress took to Instagram to pay tribute to her late pet, sharing a montage of photos of him with the family over the last twelve years.
"My beautiful boy Norman has passed away," read the caption. "My heart is broken."
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"12 years ago I made a promise to him that i would always take care of him and never allow him be in pain or to suffer," she continues. "Had I put off making the hardest decision of my life any longer I would have broken that promise."
Gemma shared how Norman had changed her life and "made it so much better", teaching her valuable lessons over the years.
"He was my first experience of being a mum and having someone other than myself to care for," she wrote. "He’s taught me a lot. Mainly to always live in the moment, remain positive and to keep trying.
"He never stopped trying to just get up and please me. Even at the end. He was the most gentle and caring soul combined with fierce love and loyalty to his family, his pack."
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Gemma shared great sadness at her remaining dog Ollie now being without a companion: "Smelling him but not being able to see or play with him will be confusing," she says. "I’ve read that dogs too notice the absence of other dogs, and i know he’s just as sad as I am."
The mum-of-two also revealed how Norman's loss would impact her eldest child Mia, with the springer spaniel-cross waking her daughter up every morning. "Her first best friend," she wrote, adding: "And so close to her 5th Birthday."
Gemma signed off: "In all these years the only time you’ve broken my heart is today, when yours stopped beating. I’m going to love you, miss you and remember you forever. Until we meet again Norman… Go and run again and have some fun up there with my dad. You’re such a good boy."
Fans commented their condolences to Gemma in the comments section of the post, with many familiar with Norman, having appeared on Gemma and her fiance's - Strictly professional Gorka Marquez - reality show Life Behind the Lens.
Gorka also paid tribute to Norman on his Instagram stories, re-sharing Gemma's post with the caption: "Will deffo miss you little man..."
Strictly Come Dancing will return later this year on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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