Britain's Got Talent star Pudsey the dog dies

Former Britain's Got Talent winner Ashleigh Butler has announced the death of her dog Pudsey.

Ashleigh, from Northamptonshire, paid tribute to her beloved pooch in an emotional tribute on Instagram.

It is thought Pudsey was put down after suffering acute leukaemia.

The pair wowed judges on season six of the ITV talent show.

"I can't honestly believe I am writing these words. My handsome man is gone and I don't know what to do without him," Ashleigh wrote.

"My heart is broken and I don't know how I'm going to get through this. It hurts so much that my handsome man has gone and I don't know how I'm going to get through this.

"It hurts so much that my handsome incredible Pudsey Bear will never be by my side, where he belongs again."

Ashleigh's other dog Sully will now take Pudsey's place as they continue to perform as a duo.

Posting a snap of all three of them on her Instagram page she wrote: "This is the last professional photo shoot I had of me and both dogs about a month ago.

"So glad that I have this photo to cherish of them together xx."