Pete Wicks has opened up about a deeply personal loss, revealing that his much-loved French bulldog Peggy has died, just weeks after he told fans she was facing months of treatment.

The Strictly Come Dancing star, 37, shared the heartbreaking news during a recent episode of his podcast Staying Relevant, explaining that Peggy actually passed away around a month ago. Pete said he hadn’t spoken publicly about it before, but decided to address it after listeners began wondering why only his other dog, Eric, was with him in the studio.

On the podcast, Pete told listeners that on a sad note, and knowing people would ask, the reason Peggy wasn’t there was because he had lost her recently. He explained that Eric had come into the office because he’d been lonely, adding quietly that Peggy died about a month ago.

Pete had first alarmed fans back in July when he revealed he had “nearly lost” Peggy, sharing that she was about to begin months of treatment. At the time, he posted a photo of the pair cuddling and admitted it had been a tough week, saying Peggy had been through the wars but never gave up. He told followers he was simply happy to have her back home and remained hopeful despite the long road ahead.

Earlier this month, while promoting his U series For Dogs’ Sake, Pete admitted 2025 had been a heavy year emotionally. He revealed he was planning to spend Christmas Day alone with Eric, joking that he’d likely sit at home with a Pot Noodle. Pete said he usually spends Christmas on his own with his dogs, and this year felt no different.

After spending weeks filming at Dogs Trust’s rehoming centre in Basildon, Pete also spoke about the possibility of adopting another dog one day, but stressed he wouldn’t rush the decision. He explained that while he wants every dog, he has to practise what he preaches, given his unusual lifestyle. He added that Eric, now 12, also gets a say, saying it’s important to find the right companion for him and to get it right, as he always has.

Peggy had been part of Pete’s life since 2018, when he rescued her through French Bulldog Saviours. He has often spoken about his bond with dogs, previously admitting he prefers them to people and that he couldn’t stop crying while filming his emotional animal-focused series.

Pete’s love for dogs began in childhood, when he and his mum adopted their first pet, Arnie, when he was just 10 years old. In 2016, he went on to rescue Eric from Dogs Trust Basildon — the loyal companion who is now helping him through the loss of Peggy.