The idyllic peace of the Peak District has been shattered. Kelvin Fletcher, the beloved Strictly Come Dancing champion turned hardworking farmer, has taken to social media to deliver a message that no one was prepared for. In an emotional update shared on Instagram that has left the Fletcher’s Family Farm community reeling, Kelvin admitted: “It’s been a day of pure heartbreak.”

The former Emmerdale star, who has spent the last few years transforming his family’s rural life into a hit Channel 5 reality series, revealed that his beloved dog — a loyal border collie named Jess who appeared regularly on the show — had to be put to sleep after a sudden and severe health decline. Kelvin posted a black-and-white photo of himself kneeling beside Jess in the farmyard, the dog resting peacefully in the grass, and wrote a raw, tearful caption that has now been shared more than 1.2 million times.

“Jess has been by my side through everything — long days on the farm, lambing season, the kids growing up, the cameras, the quiet nights when I just needed someone to sit with,” Kelvin wrote. “Yesterday she got very poorly very fast. The vet said there was nothing more we could do. We held her, told her she was the best girl, and let her go peacefully. Our hearts are broken. She was more than a dog — she was family.”

The post included a short video clip of Jess running through the fields in happier times, her tail wagging, barking at sheep, and playing with Kelvin’s children. The contrast between those joyful memories and the final photo of her lying still has left fans devastated. Thousands have flooded the comments with messages of condolence, sharing their own stories of losing pets and calling Jess “the real star of Fletcher’s Family Farm.”

Kelvin’s wife, Liz Fletcher, also shared her grief, posting: “She was our shadow, our protector, our joy. The farm feels empty without her. Thank you for all the love pouring in — it means everything to us right now.”

The couple, who rose to fame on Strictly Come Dancing (Kelvin won the 2019 series with partner Oti Mabuse) before moving to a 120-acre farm in the Peak District, have built a loyal following through their reality show. Viewers watched Jess grow from a lively puppy into the family’s steadfast companion, often seen herding sheep, playing with the children, or simply lying at Kelvin’s feet while he worked.

The news has hit especially hard among animal lovers and fans who saw Jess as an integral part of the show’s charm. Social media is filled with tributes: “Jess was the heart of that farm,” one fan wrote. “She brought so much joy to so many of us.” Another added: “This hurts more than I expected. Sending all the love to Kelvin, Liz, and the kids.”

Kelvin has not yet indicated whether the next season of Fletcher’s Family Farm (currently filming) will address Jess’s passing or include a tribute episode. However, he has hinted that the show will continue to document the realities of farming life — including loss. “Farming isn’t always pretty,” he posted later. “It’s hard, it’s messy, it hurts. But we keep going because that’s what you do when you love something — or someone — this much.”

The Fletcher family has asked for privacy as they grieve, but the overwhelming support from fans has been a small comfort. Donations to local animal charities have surged in Jess’s name, and many have shared photos of their own dogs with messages of solidarity.

For a family that has welcomed millions into their home through television, the loss of Jess feels deeply personal. She was more than a pet — she was a symbol of the simple joys and quiet loyalty that made their farm life so relatable. As Kelvin and Liz navigate this new emptiness on the farm, they know they are not alone. The nation — and the world — is grieving with them.

Rest in peace, Jess. You were loved far beyond the fields you ran in.