Greg James, host of the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast show, announced through an Instagram post that his chocolate labrador Barney has died. The dog was euthanized at James’s home, and the presenter described feeling devastated by the loss.
Barney had become a recognizable figure among Radio 1 listeners, as James regularly referenced the dog during his broadcasts and shared updates about him on social media. In his announcement, James expressed that he was overwhelmed by grief and unable to stop crying. He acknowledged how widely loved Barney was and stated he cherished the opportunity to share the dog with his audience online. James asked for privacy for himself and his wife, author Bella Mackie, during their period of mourning, noting the loss felt immediate and profound.
James and Mackie adopted Barney from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2019. The dog had received veterinary care from Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, known for his appearances on The Supervet program, to address arthritic joint issues.
Charlie Hedges, a fellow Radio 1 presenter, stepped in to host the breakfast show on Tuesday to allow James time away from work. Listeners responded with messages of support, with one text message reading: “Greg if you’re listening, we all love you mate.” Earlier this year, James participated in a tandem cycling challenge for Comic Relief covering 1,000 kilometers across England, Wales, and Scotland, during which a video of Barney barking at foxes in the garden was sent to motivate him through the effort.
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