Greg James and his wife Bella Mackie have hit back at a social media critic following the death of their beloved dog Barney. The BBC Radio 1 presenter, 40, and his wife of eight years, 43, announced on Tuesday that Barney had been put down, sparking an outpouring of support from fans and colleagues.
Barney's popularity and final moments
Barney was a favorite among listeners and co-stars, even having his own segment on Greg's show titled Barney, Are You There?! Sharing the 'horrible news' of his death, Greg admitted he 'can't get his head around it' but took comfort in knowing it was 'peaceful'.
The couple adopted Barney from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2019. Greg described how they were with him 'at home in the garden in the sunshine' when he passed, but he still 'can't stop crying'. He acknowledged how 'loved' Barney was, noting his Instagram page had over 60,000 followers, and said he was 'completely floored' by his death.
Bella's book promotion and online backlash
Bella had been promoting her new book, Claws Out!, due for release on August 27, while navigating her grief. However, her promotional content drew criticism from some Instagram users. She shared a smiley selfie holding the book with the caption: 'First review is in! It's some very welcome good news at a very sad time…'
One commenter wrote: 'Too soon before your pup died!!', prompting Bella to reply abruptly with 'F**k you'. Greg then weighed in, telling the troll: 'our grief and how we deal with it is absolutely nothing to do with you. Or more simply put, what Bella just said.'
Fans defend the couple
Bella later screenshotted the harsh comment and shared it on her Story, adding: 'Gave me an odd moment of dark comedy actually so thanks for your deranged message I guess?' Fans also defended the couple, with one urging the critic to 'delete' their comment. Another noted that 'part of Bella's contract will have that she has to do promo at certain times', while another said: 'she's literally crying in her story talking about it. People still have to work and get on with life too.'
Greg's absence from radio
Greg was absent from the radio the following day, with Charlie Hedges stepping in. She called Greg 'one of the best people on the planet' and said: 'We love you, Greg, so, so much – and want to keep the vibes positive for him today and have some fun.'
Barney's health struggles had been documented online; he suffered from severe joint issues, including extensive arthritis, and underwent numerous operations to improve his mobility. He received an outpouring of birthday wishes in June when he turned eight. Greg had previously told Peta that welcoming Barney into his life and teaching him to 'trust a human again' had been 'life-affirming'.
