After months of heartbreak, Pete Wicks has gently opened a new chapter — introducing fans to his new puppy following the devastating loss of his beloved dog Peggy.

The former TOWIE star, 37, took to Instagram on Saturday to share tender photos of himself cuddling a four-month-old puppy named Rodney, nestled on his lap. The moment was made even more emotional as Pete revealed the pup has already bonded with his longtime companion, French bulldog Eric.

“Everyone meet 4-month-old Rodney,” Pete wrote. “Eric’s new little brother. Thank you to @dogstrust and @dogstrust_westlondon.”

But behind the sweet images was a raw admission that stopped fans in their tracks.

“Most people know that I lost my Peggy a few months ago and it broke my heart,” he continued. “I haven’t really spoken about it and I don’t want to… she was irreplaceable.”

“Getting another dog isn’t about trying to replace who I’ve lost,” he said. “It’s about being able to open my heart, home, and provide a safe place and love for another dog who needs it.”

The emotional post came just weeks after Pete revealed that Peggy had passed away following months of treatment. He shared the news quietly on his Staying Relevant Podcast, explaining that her death had occurred around a month earlier.

Pete admitted he had avoided speaking publicly about the loss, but knew fans would notice Peggy’s absence when he brought Eric into the studio for a recording session.

“On a sad note,” he told listeners at the time, “the reason Peggy’s not here is because I lost her recently… that’s why Eric is here with everyone in the office. He’s been lonely.”

Back in July, Pete had previously warned followers that Peggy was seriously unwell, revealing she was undergoing “months of treatment” after he had nearly lost her.

The past year has clearly taken its toll. While promoting his U series For Dogs’ Sake earlier this month, Pete admitted it had been “a heavy year” and revealed plans to spend Christmas Day quietly — just him and Eric.

“I imagine I’ll sit on my own with Eric and have a Pot Noodle,” he said candidly. “I normally spend Christmas on my own with the dogs.”

Having filmed extensively at Dogs Trust’s Basildon rehoming centre, Pete has long been vocal about responsible adoption. He admitted that while he wants to save every dog he meets, choosing to adopt again was something he approached with care — especially with Eric now aged 12.

“It’s about finding the right dog that fits your lifestyle,” he explained. “It’s not just down to me. I’ve got to ask Eric. It has to be right for him too.”

Pete first adopted Peggy in 2018 after rescuing her through French Bulldog Saviours. Two years earlier, in 2016, he rescued Eric from the Dogs Trust centre near where he grew up in Basildon, Essex.

Now, with Rodney curled up beside Eric, fans say it feels like a small but meaningful step forward — not a replacement, but a reminder that love can return, even after loss.

And for Pete, it seems the healing has quietly begun.