Pete 'The Pirate' Wicks' dog has died.
Pete 'The Pirate' Wicks
The 'Only Way is Essex' hunk has been left "heartbroken" after his young pet pooch Ernest, who was a French Bulldog, was suddenly swiped away from him this week.
Taking to his Instagram account on Tuesday (30.08.16), the handsome star, 27, uploaded a photograph of him and Ernest together alongside the caption: "Words can't describe how heartbroken I am to have suddenly lost one of the best things that has ever come into my life.
"My boy Ernest wasn't just a dog to me, he was my best friend. Things will never be the same again. I'm thankful to him for teaching me things about myself and everything about unconditional love. He will always be in my heart. RIP Ernest #Wolfpack (sic)."
It's not yet known how or when Ernest tragically lost his life but Pete - who also has another French Bulldog called Eric - isn't the only one from the cast to lose his pet pooch this year.
His co-star Bobby Norris was left distraught last month when his beloved dog Beau was brutally murdered by another canine during his daily walk in Essex.
Bobby said at the time: "I had a panic attack so I'm kind of doubled up and I can't breathe and by the time I've come up from the ground and I'm looking at Beau on the floor, I'm in the field on my own. [The other dog's owner had quickly left]. Beau's my baby so in my head, I had to get him to a vet immediately. I got him to a vet and it wasn't looking good but unfortunately the extent of the damage and we had to make the decision and the kindest thing for beau was to put him to sleep."