Britain’s Got Talent dog Pudsey 'was owner Ashleigh's best friend' Published duration 24 July 2017

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

The owner of Britain's Got Talent winner Pudsey the dog has said her canine partner was her best friend.

Ashleigh Butler and Pudsey, who died last week, became famous for their dance routine to the Mission Impossible theme and won the contest in 2012.

The death of the 11-year-old border collie, bichon frise and Chinese crested cross was announced on Friday

"It's sad anyway, but it was so quick. No words can express just how much I will miss him," Ms Butler told ITV.

The pair were the first dog act to win the competition.

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

Speaking on This Morning, Ms Butler explained Pudsey was put down on Thursday after a short battle with leukaemia.

She said she was given Pudsey as a present for her 11th birthday.

"My parents had bred him and I really wanted to keep him. On my birthday they gave me a box, and I thought it was a Nintendo DS, so I started shaking it. It was an instant connection."

She said Pudsey "just wanted to please me, he could do anything he put his mind to".

"I took him on Britain's Got Talent to show how incredible he was. He gave me opportunities that I never thought I'd have."

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

Tributes began to pour in within minutes of news emerging 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".

Ms Butler will team up with a new performing dog, Sully, who grew up with Pudsey over the past four years. Ms Butler Ashleigh said they were like brothers and said Sully "knows something is up."