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'Distraught' Ant McPartlin and ex-wife heartbroken after tragic death of beloved dog Hurley

Britain's Got Talent host Ant McPartlin rushed from the ITV show's launch after beloved dog Hurley, who he shared custody of with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong, died aged 12

[An individual dressed in a dark suit, standing in a professional setting, appears to be delivering a statement or responding to a question, with a serious expression on their face.]

Ant has frequently shared photos of Hurley(Image: Getty Images,)

Hurley, the cherished dog shared between Ant McPartlin and his former spouse Lisa Armstrong, has died, according to reports last night.

The chocolate Labrador played a central role in both their lives, with the pair maintaining joint custody following their separation.

The Sun reported that the TV host, 50, is "distraught" and dashed away from ITV's Britain's Got Talent launch event - which he co-presents alongside Declan Donnelly - to be by Hurley's side.

The 12-year-old is understood to have been too poorly to recover.

This evening, Lisa - who frequently shared photos of Hurley on her Instagram account - posted an image depicting a youngster releasing hearts into the heavens, reports the Mirror.

[Two individuals dressed in red jackets and dark pants are standing on a sandy beach with a small child. The family is posing for a photograph with the ocean and a small boat in the background.]

Ant is reportedly 'distraught'(Image: mirror.co.uk)

The I'm A Celebrity presenter previously told The Sun: "There's a loyalty and a love and a companionship with Hurley that you can't describe. And he never tells me off and is always pleased to see me."

He also recounted how a woman approached them after recognising Hurley from newspaper photographs, joking that the dog had achieved fame.

The pup did indeed enjoy a modest entertainment career - initially through his role in his famous parents' highly-publicised split, and subsequently during a guest spot on Steph's Packed Lunch when Lisa brought him onto the programme for a feature about canine beverages.

Following their 2018 divorce after 23 years as a couple - including 11 years of marriage - Ant maintained they would share time with their beloved pet equally and always prioritise Hurley's wellbeing in any decisions. The telly personality even named one of his firms after his beloved pooch - both he and Dec serve as directors of Hurley Promotions Ltd. The duo also operate a business called Rocky Promotions Ltd, which takes its name from Dec's dog.

[An individual is gently feeding a brown dog, which appears to be a Labrador Retriever, with a treat in hand. The setting is indoors, featuring a brick wall in the background and a display of dog-themed items. The image includes a text overlay that reads, "Paws Off My Pint! Drinks for Your Dog."]

Hurley even appeared on TV himself(Image: Channel 4)

Ant and Strictly makeup artist Lisa, who didn't have any children together, welcomed the dog into their home in 2013. Ant became a dad for the first time in 2024, when he and second wife Anne-Marie Corbett celebrated the arrival of their first child, Wilder.

For International Dog Day in 2024, Ant shared snaps of his four-legged friends. Among them was Hurley, captured lounging about sporting a watch on his paw.

He captioned the post: "Dog dump (not that kind... get your mind out the gutter! )" The pictures also featured Milo and Bumble, the Maltese and poodle crossbreeds belonging to Ant and second wife Anne-Marie.

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