BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James has taken a short break from his show following the death of his beloved dog, Barney. The 40-year-old broadcaster shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram on Tuesday, August 4, revealing that Barney had been put to sleep.
In a tearful post, James wrote: "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 couldn't stop crying. I know how loved this uneblievably daft, farty, brilliant dog was, and I adored sharing him with everyone on here."
A beloved companion
Barney was a popular figure among listeners, featuring in a recurring segment on Greg's show called "Barney, Are You There?" The dog also had his own Instagram page, which had amassed over 67,000 followers.
In 2023, Barney developed a limp, leading Greg to seek help from TV supervet Noel Fitzpatrick. The dog underwent ankle replacement surgery and subsequently lost weight, with his owners describing him as "happier than ever and pain-free" after the operation.
An outpouring of support
Greg concluded his post: "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 f***ing sad. He was the best." He turned off comments on the post and asked fans not to send direct messages as he and his wife grieve.
Colleagues at the BBC have shown their support. Host Charlie Hedges, standing in for Greg, told listeners: "Charlie Hedges in for one of the best people on the planet, Mr Greg James, who I just want to send a massive hug to. We love you, Greg, so, so much - and want to keep the vibes positive for him today and have some fun."
The cause of Barney's health issues before his death has not been disclosed.
