Vernon Kay and his wife Tess Daly were left devastated when she accidentally killed their dog last year.
Tess, 51, accidentally ran over the family’s beloved dog, Minnie, as she returned home in her Range Rover in March 2019.
The Maltese Shih Tzu was a big part of the family life and the tragic death left Tess, I’m A Celebrity star Vernon and their children Phoebe, 16, and Amber, 11, devastated.
Speaking at the time, Strictly Come Dancing star Tess told The Sun on Sunday: “I’m devastated by this terrible accident. It’s a dog owner’s worst nightmare.
“It has had a huge effect on the whole family and we are heartbroken at losing Minnie.
Tess Daly accidentally ran over and killed her family dog Minnie in 2019 (Image: tessdaly/Instagram)
“This has, and continues to be, a very emotional time for us all,” the Strictly Come Dancing host added.
A source said at the time: “Tess is absolutely beyond heartbroken. She and Vernon have drummed it into the girls that they must never, ever let the dogs out and sure enough, the animals always stayed indoors.
“But they have had the builders in, carrying out various bits of repair work in the courtyard. And one of the labourers foolishly left the front door open — and Minnie escaped.
Minnie had ran out of the house and Tess didn’t see the dog whilst driving her Range Rover (Image: tessdaly/Instagram)
“Tess had been out for the morning and as she drove back in and up the driveway she was too high up in her 4×4 to see Minnie suddenly bolt out.”
The insider continued: “It all happened in a flash and there was absolutely nothing she could do. But it was sickening.
“Minnie was like another child to Tess and Vernon and to lose a member of the family in such a tragic, hideous way is understandably devastating.”
Tess and her husband Vernon Kay were left devastated by the sudden loss (Image: WireImage)
It was the second time in three years that the family suffered a shock bereavement, after losing their Labrador Sam in 2016 to what was believed to have been lungworm.
Vernon, 46, is currently competing in this year’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! with the final taking place this Friday.
On Tuesday, Tess appeared on ITV’s Lorraine and admitted she has “barely slept” since Vernon’s been on the show.
Vernon is competing in this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Chatting via video link from their Buckinghamshire home, Tess said it’s “nerve-racking” to think of Vernon living in a Welsh castle.
“I’m thinking about him every minute of every day,” she revealed.
“I’ve barely slept, it feels like he’s been gone for ages.”
Tess confirmed that she and her two daughters haven’t seen Vernon face-to-face for four and a half weeks now as the celebs were forced to self-isolate together before the ITV show began.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
