Martin Clunes has shared the sad news that his Doc Martin sidekick, who loyally starred alongside him from 2009 to 2019, has died.
Clunes, 63, shared during an interview on Thursday that Dodger, who played Jack Russell Terrier, Buddy, is "no longer with us".
The veteran actor paid tribute to the pooch as he shared the update, going on to reveal how scenes were filmed without upsetting the dog, particularly with his character often being irritated by the companion.
Dodger retired from his role during the penultimate series of the ITV comedy-drama after being diagnosed with dementia.
Dodger starred as Doc Martin pooch Buddy in the ITV series
ITV/YouTube
At the time of his retirement, Clunes had said to fans: "Dodger who played Buddy is still with us and he's happy. It's just that his trainer Sonia decided to retire him because he has doggy dementia."
Heartbreakingly, the talented dog has now passed away, with The One Show presenter Roman Kemp pointing out to the actor during the interview: "Your character was always irritated by his dog, but you had quite a good way of getting around that."
"Oh Dodger, oh yeah! He was fantastic, that boy. Sadly, no longer with us," Clunes revealed, before adding: "That was the joke, I thought, 'Who hates dogs?'
"That someone who hates dogs, but they all love him, and they just hang out with him." He went on to reassure dog-lovers about filming scenes in which his character was dismissive of the dog.
Martin Clunes starred in Doc Martin from 2004 to 2022
BBC
"So I had to yell at him, throw him around, do all sorts of things, but I never shouted really at him," he explained.
"I just waved my lips around and added in the shouting later. Me and Sonia Turner, his trainer, and Dodger, we just had such fun on that, y'know?
"Pushing the limits of what we could do with him, and he was fabulous." It had been Sonia who originally announced the dog's sad death back in 2023.
Taking to Instagram at the time, she shared: "A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has taken the time to remember Dodger and send their condolences.
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"Tom and I are truly touched and amazed that our little chap had been taken to heart by so many people, both here and abroad. Bless you Dodger."
At the time, fans shared supportive messages about the sad loss, with one writing in response to Sonia's post: "So sorry for your loss, you both must be heartbroken, hugs from Mark & I, doggie kisses from Frankie xx."
"Sorry to hear about Dodger. What a legend," another commented, with one more adding: "So sorry for your loss."
"I'm so sorry. I had to say goodbye to my 25 year old dog last year, so I know how heartbreaking it is to lose them," another commented.
Martin Clunes explained how he filmed Doc Martin scenes with late dog, Dodger
ITV
Someone else added: "So sorry to read your news, he will never be forgotten. Love to you and your family at this difficult time x." (sic)
Earlier this year, Men Behaving Badly actor Clunes appeared in a new ITV drama, Out There, in which he played a widowed farmer whose son Johnny (Ashbourne Serkis) became involved with a drug-dealing gang.
Paying tribute to his young co-star in January, Clunes beamed: “Louis is brilliant, he shows the vulnerability of his character so well. He is terrific.
"For a 19-year-old, he is a really accomplished actor. He has a very easy charisma to him that makes him hugely watchable... I can’t wait to see what he does next."
