Gemma Atkinson fights tears as fans show support after heartbreaking family update and says 'angels on earth'

Gemma Atkinson has been seen fighting tears as she thanked fans for their messages of love and support following a heartbreaking family update. The Hits Radio host was left devastated over the summer following the death of one of her beloved dogs.

She announced the news at the end of June, saying: "My beautiful boy Norman has passed away. My heart is broken," alongside a moving video featuring pictures and clips of him from over the years with her and fellow dog Ollie, as well as her fiancé Gorka Marquez and their two children, Mia and Thiago.

Bury-born Gemma went on to pay tribute to her much-loved pet who she said gave her her "first experience of being a mum and having someone other than myself to care for". She rouned off the post at the time: ""I’m going to love you, miss you and remember you forever. Until we meet again Norman… Go and run again and have some fun up there with my dad. You’re such a good boy."

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Gemma has since shared regulalr updates on how she and her family have been coping with the loss, including Ollie who himself is facing his own struggles as a senior dog.

In a new video, the mum-of-two could be seen fussing her resting dog alongside a message across the screen which read: "And God said, 'I will send them without wings so nobody suspects them of being angels.'"

She then wrote alongside the emotional post: "Old boy Ollie. Plodding on and making the most of being able to sleep most of the day. Ollie has a review with the vet soon. His hearing and eye sight has deteriorated a lot, as have his back legs. And most mornings now he wakes needing a wash due to going to the toilet in the night without knowing. Mum came down to a lot of mess the other morning and he couldn’t get up without her lifting him. He was just lay in it all.

"It’s so hard with senior dogs. You wish they could just say to you either, 'don’t worry, I look like I’m struggling but I’m pain free and happy' or, 'I’m in pain now, please help me'."

She added: "He doesn’t see or hear me coming home from work now, this is how I have to slowly let him know I’m there until he comes around. Every now and again he’ll have a burst of energy and spin around the garden, it’s crazy the ups and downs we have with them. Angels on earth that’s for sure."

Gorka soon responded to the post with a string of single tear face emojis before Gemma's followers were quick to respond. @hattiepearson said: "Oh Gemma sending all the love. Pets bring so much joy but it’s so hard when they’re poorly or elderly too." @artykes55 commented: "Massive Hugs to you Gorka Mia and Tio and a big kiss for Ollie. They really have our hearts don’t they."

@lisalester70s replied: "Beautiful boy. Your boy will let you know what he wants / needs at the right time. We love our pets so much they are part of our everything! Lots of love @glouiseatkinson & @gorka_marquez." @kayspaven posted: "Sending love to you both. I know how much you love each other." @rach_daur added: "Aww this hit me. Sending so much love it must be heartbreaking to see him like that everyday."

Then on Thursday morning (November 28), Gemma returned to social media with a video posted to her Instagram Story. But she struggled to speak about her sweet pet following her early morning gym session. "Thank you for your messages about Ollie. I can't talke about," the former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star said as she fought tears.

She added: "But I've read them [the messages], thank you! It sucks when they're getting older but that's life. But thank you for your lovely, lovely messages. I'm going to go wake everyone up now - Gorka and the sprogs - and crack on with the day."