Actress Joanna Page, best known for her role in the beloved sitcom Gavin and Stacey, has shared an extraordinary and deeply personal story about her late dog Daisy, including a bizarre request she made to her husband, fellow actor James Thornton. The emotional tale unfolded during an appearance on the popular Shagged Married Annoyed podcast, where Page recounted how she insisted Thornton dig up their deceased pet's remains from their garden on the eve of a house move.
The Heartbreaking Bond with Daisy
Joanna Page explained that Daisy, a Jack Russell terrier, had been her constant companion since she was just 21 years old. The dog lived to the impressive age of 16, sharing countless life experiences with the actress. "We've been through like everything together," Page emotionally stated, highlighting the profound bond they shared. When Daisy eventually passed away, Page found herself unable to consider cremation, opting instead for a garden burial with her family present, including her children.
The Macabre Midnight Excavation
As Page and Thornton prepared to relocate from their home, the Swansea-born actress realized she couldn't bear to leave Daisy behind. She made the unusual demand to her husband, declaring, "Well, you got to dig her up ... she's my first child. She's my firstborn. You have to dig her up." Remarkably, Thornton complied without argument, though he postponed the grim task until the last possible moment.
James Thornton, famous for his role as John Barton in Emmerdale, equipped himself with a head torch and proceeded to excavate the little dog's burial site under cover of darkness. The exhumed remains, still in their original basket with flowers and a blanket, now reside in a transparent plastic storage container in the couple's garage, awaiting their final resting place.
Future Plans for Daisy's Remains
Joanna Page has decided to delay re-burying Daisy until she and James settle into what she describes as their "forever home" where they plan to retire. She explained, "Until we actually move somewhere where I'm like 'OK, this is us retired and we're going to be here forever, we will bury her here'." The actress even revealed a more dramatic alternative, stating that if she were to die before that permanent move, she wants Daisy's remains placed in her coffin alongside her.
In fact, Page disclosed her ultimate wish for burial involves being laid to rest with her children's nursery school artwork scattered over her, alongside Daisy's remains. "Pour all of that on me. Put the lid down, then you can bury me," she told the podcast hosts, demonstrating the depth of her attachment to both her pet and family mementos.
The Accidental Dog Ashes Purchase
While podcast presenters Chris and Rosie Ramsey found humor in her unusual story, Page proceeded to share an even more startling anecdote. She recounted how, while shopping in a Welsh charity shop, she purchased what she believed was a cute dog-shaped paperweight ornament. Only after showing it to friends did she discover the truth: it was actually a plastic urn containing another dog's ashes.
"They said 'That's not sand. Those are a dog's ashes... can you see those big solid bits which are on the top? Those are bones which haven't gone to ash'," Page recalled. Her subsequent online research confirmed she had inadvertently "brought someone else's dogs ashes from Wales all the way back home to Oxfordshire." Despite her husband's repeated requests to dispose of the peculiar item, Page has refused to part with it.
The combination of these stories paints a vivid picture of Joanna Page's unique relationship with canine companions, both living and deceased, and her unconventional approach to memorializing them. Her candid revelations on the podcast offer a surprising glimpse into the personal life of the normally private actress, showcasing her emotional vulnerability and distinctive perspective on pet loss and remembrance.
