Strictly Come Dancing star and podcast favourite Pete Wicks has shared the heartbreaking news that his beloved French bulldog Peggy has died, following months of illness and tireless fighting — a loss he admits he is still struggling to comprehend.

In an emotional message to fans, Pete revealed that Peggy, who had been by his side through some of the most significant moments of his life, passed away after a long battle that he says he “can barely accept.”

For followers who know Pete, the news hit hard. Peggy wasn’t just a pet — she was family.

From red carpet appearances to quiet nights at home, Peggy was a constant presence in Pete’s world. He often spoke openly about how much she meant to him, describing her as his comfort, his routine, and the one thing that grounded him no matter how chaotic life became.

That’s what makes this loss feel so deeply personal — not just for Pete, but for the thousands who watched their bond grow over the years.

“I don’t really have the words,” Pete shared. “I’m still in shock.”

Those close to him say Peggy had been unwell for some time, with Pete doing everything possible to keep her comfortable and give her the best chance. Friends describe months filled with vet visits, worry, and fragile hope — the kind of quiet heartbreak familiar to anyone who has ever loved an animal deeply.

Despite the fight, Peggy’s body eventually couldn’t carry on.

The reality of that moment, Pete admits, hasn’t fully sunk in.

“She fought so hard,” he wrote. “And I just wasn’t ready to let her go.”

For many fans, Pete’s honesty struck a nerve. Losing a pet is often dismissed as “just an animal,” but those who have experienced it know the truth: it’s the loss of a companion who loved without condition, judged without words, and stayed when everything else felt uncertain.

Peggy was there through Pete’s career highs, public scrutiny, and personal challenges. In interviews, he often joked that she ran the house — but it was clear she also ran his heart.

During his time on Strictly Come Dancing, Pete spoke about how difficult it was being away from her. During stressful periods, he credited her with helping him cope when things felt overwhelming.

“She was my constant,” he once said.

And now, that constant is gone.

Messages of support have poured in from fans, friends, and fellow celebrities, many sharing their own stories of pet loss and thanking Pete for speaking so openly about grief. For some, his words gave permission to mourn openly — without embarrassment or minimising the pain.

Grief, especially this kind, doesn’t follow a neat timeline. Pete hasn’t pretended otherwise.

“I know time is supposed to help,” he admitted. “But right now, it just hurts.”

Those close to him say he is taking time away from the spotlight to process the loss privately, surrounded by people who understand just how much Peggy meant to him.

As for Peggy, fans have been sharing photos, memories, and messages — a quiet digital memorial for a dog who, in her own small way, touched a lot of lives.

Because sometimes, the deepest heartbreak doesn’t come from grand tragedies — it comes from losing the small presence that made everyday life feel safer, warmer, and less lonely.

Pete may be a public figure, but this pain is deeply human.

And for now, all he’s left with are memories — and a love that doesn’t disappear, even when the one you love does.