Greg James has shared his heartbreak over the “horrible” death of his beloved dog Barney. The Radio 1 presenter, 40, announced that he would be skipping his regular breakfast show on Tuesday as he deals with the grief.
James, who adopted Barney with his author wife Bella Mackie from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2019, said he “can’t stop crying” and feels “completely floored” by Barney’s death. The broadcaster gave a devastating insight into the chocolate Labrador’s final moments, revealing he was “peaceful” as he died in the garden of their home in north London.
Emotional Instagram post
Sharing a photo of Barney on the sofa, he wrote on Instagram: “I’m sorry to bring such horrible news but we had to put our lovely Barn to sleep earlier today. “I can’t really get my head around it. But he was peaceful, we were with him at home in the garden in the sunshine and I can’t stop crying.”
He went on: “I know how loved this unbelievably daft farty brilliant dog was and I adored sharing him with everyone on here but I hope you understand why comments are off and can I just ask you to not pile in with DMs particularly for Bella for a bit please. “We’re completely floored by it and I can’t believe our little mate has gone and it’s very real and very raw and just so fucking sad. He was the best. Lots of love xx
“Ps. Not on the show tomorrow obvs x.”
Barney's health struggles
James often shared photos and videos of Barney on Instagram, celebrating his birthdays and funny moments with the pooch. In 2023, he revealed Barney had developed a limp and had to have several surgeries. At the time, he wrote in his iPaper column: "I’ve worked out that the thing that makes me most upset is that you can’t tell him that it’s all going to be all right. I want to reassure him that we’re taking him to see that nice man off the telly that everyone fancies because he’s a superhero."
A man who, if needed, could put wheels on a tortoise. He’s one of the world’s leading orthopaedic veterinary surgeons, adored by millions around the world, I want to explain.
“But obviously I can’t. Instead we just have to take him for boring 15-minute lead walks round the block, stop him from jumping up on the sofa and then deal with the 'why are you being a p***k' look he gives us.”
James enlisted the help of Professor Noel Patrick on Supervet ER, and Barney underwent various ankle and joint reconstruction procedures.
Adoption and impact
The radio star revealed in 2019 that he and Mackie had rescued Barney and said he was “unbearably happy”. Sharing a photo with the sweet dog on Instagram at the time, he wrote: “We re-homed Barney today and now I want to bring him to the Brits and everywhere else I ever go.
“Thank you @battersea for making us unbearably happy and @Thom__sweeney and @styleanderror for making me look nice for a change. Bella has finally made me realise that dressing up is fun sometimes and not horribly stressful.”
He told The Standard that while the first few months with Barney were a challenge, once he was trained and settled, the pup “completely changed his life”.
“My routine, when I don't have a radio show to do, is to get up early, and go for a good long walk with my stupid, but wonderful dog, Barney,” James said in 2020. “I love him so much, I could not be without him. He really keeps you down to earth, like no matter what mad show biz-y element of my job I’ve just gone and done, in the morning I wake up at five o'clock and have to go pick sh*t up from outside. “And I know that sounds really gross but it’s a really great leveller, right?”
