Britain’s Got Talent champion dog Pudsey dies Published duration 21 July 2017

image copyright Getty Images image caption Pudsey and owner Ashleigh Butler had worked together for 11 years

Britain's Got Talent winner Pudsey the dog has died, ITV has confirmed.

The border collie, bichon frise and Chinese crested cross won the contest in 2012 with owner Ashleigh Butler.

The pair became famous for their dance routine to the Mission Impossible theme, and were the first dog act to win the competition.

Paying tribute to Pudsey on Friday, Ashleigh described him as a "beautiful boy" who had changed her life.

image copyright ITV image caption The pair won over viewers by dancing to the Mission Impossible theme

Ashleigh said 11-year-old Pudsey was put down on Thursday after a short battle against leukaemia.

"I had to make the hardest decision of my life to let my beautiful boy go to sleep at the age of 11," she said.

"From the minute he was born he brought nothing but joy to me, and as a winner of BGT millions of others who adored him too.

"No words can express just how much I will miss him.

"He changed my life and I have so many wonderful memories of our time together. He will always be in my heart."

image copyright Getty Images image caption Pudsey even starred in his own movie in 2014

Pudsey and Ashleigh, from Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, had worked together for 11 years.

In October 2012, a book titled Pudsey: My Autobidography, was released, chronicling the pet's rise to fame.

He hit the big screen in 2014, taking the leading role in his own movie, Pudsey The Dog: The Movie.

The pair also travelled to America following their big win, where they performed on America's Got Talent and appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Tributes began to pour in within minutes of Britain's Got Talent sharing news of his death, with fans saying they were "heartbroken" and sending wishes to his family.

image copyright SBNA image caption Fans said on social media that they were "heartbroken" at the news

Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams took to Twitter to pay tribute, writing: "Farewell to a very special dog that the nation fell in love with".