Gemma Atkinson has written a beautiful tribute to her dog Norman after his death over the weekend, moving people to tears.
The presenter and former model wrote that she had had to make ‘the hardest decision of my life’ so that Norman wouldn’t be in pain or suffer.
Her heartbreaking statement shared with her two million followers has left fellow pet-owners ‘in floods of tears’, who all know the pain of losing a furry family member.
Gemma wrote that Norman, a Springer-Poodle cross, had ‘changed by life and made it so much better simply by just being there’.
The Bury-born beauty detailed how sad she feels for Ollie, her remaining dog, and her little girl Mia.
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The Strictly star also said that her four-legged companion was her ‘first experience of being a mum’ and that he had ‘fierce love and loyalty to his family, his pack’.
In a particularly heartbreaking section of her lengthy tribute, which she posted along with a Reel of Norman’s life, Gemma wrote: “In all these years the only time you’ve broken my heart is today, when yours stopped beating.”
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And she signed off by saying: “Go and run again and have some fun up there with my dad. You’re such a good boy.”
Gemma’s full statement reads: “My beautiful boy Norman has passed away. My heart is broken.
“12 years ago I made a promise to him that i would always take care of him and never allow him be in pain or to suffer. Had I put off making the hardest decision of my life any longer I would have broken that promise.
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Gemma Atkinson has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her dog Norman. Credit: InstagramGemma Atkinson confirmed that her dog Normal passed away over the weekend. Credit: Instagram
“It’s hard to put into words how much Norman changed my life and made it so much better Simply by just being there. Throughout the good & bad experiences the last 12 years he’s been there with Ollie making everything ok.
“My most favourite weekends were spent having long walks exploring together, then home lay in bed cosy with them both watching a film while they snored away peacefully. I think I’ll miss that the most…
“That and the fact Norm was always the only one in the whole house to get up and come downstairs with me in the mornings no matter how early it was. My 5am club won’t be the same without his company.
“He was my first experience of being a mum and having someone other than myself to care for. He’s taught me a lot. Mainly to always live in the moment, remain positive and to keep trying. He never stopped trying to just get up and please me. Even at the end. He was the most gentle and caring soul combined with fierce love and loyalty to his family, his pack.
“I believe he was always meant to be my dog. I feel so sad for Ollie who’s now wondering where Norman is. Smelling him but not being able to see or play with him will be confusing. I’ve read that dogs too notice the absence of other dogs, and i know he’s just as sad as I am.
“And of course I’m beyond sad for Mia. Norman’s woken her up by going into her room and pinching her Snuggie almost everyday of her life. She’s never known him or Ollie to not be here. Her first best friend. And so close to her 5th Birthday.
“They say the sadness we feel when we lose a loved one is the price we pay for loving them so much, and boy did i love you Norman. In all these years the only time you’ve broken my heart is today, when yours stopped beating.
“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.”
Emmerdale star Danny Miller to host brand-new family festival in Bolton this weekend
Danny Jones
Stockport-born actor and soap star Danny Miller is hosting a brand-new family-friendly festival in Bolton and it’s kicking off this weekend.
The long-serving Emmerdale face and winner of I’m A Celebrity 2021 is taking his Albert’s Bookshelf series, launched with Capital FM co-host Nigel Clucas back in July 2023, and turning into a daytime festival with fun for all ages.
Set to pop up at Open Air Bounce over in the Greater Manchester borough this Sunday, the first-ever Albert’s Bookshelf Summer Festival will see live readings from special guests, celebrity meet-and-greets and a whole host of activities.
A great one to keep the kids busy with something wholesome this weekend – especially if they’re fellow bookworms.
The podcast and online audiobook format was named after Miller’s son, still just a toddler, and created this time last year as a creative birthday present for the little lad who, like many other mini Mancs and children all over the country, simply loves to read.
With stories and educational books brought to life with passionate narration from some of the best in the business, Albert’s Bookshelf has become a brilliant resource for kids to learn and immerse themselves in a world of fiction – the importance of which can never be understated at such a young age.
Now though, Miller and Clucas will be expanding their own imaginations and bringing the brand to life in person, with a total of 15 inflatables and bouncy castles, a foam party and much more.
The hope is to make it not just a special day for Albert and all the other kids coming along but for local families in general. There will also be live appearances from child-friendly performer MC Grammar, as well as comedian and actor Steve Royle.
There’s even staycation raffle prizes for the parents.
Miller and his drive-time partner Clucas.Miller, wife Steph, son Albert and baby daughter Edith.Credit: Albert’s Bookshelf/Danny Miller(via Instagram)
With storytelling at the very heart and soul of this wholesome event, the all-dayer is a great opportunity to get kids engaged with literature and reading in all forms.
Albert’s Bookshelf Festival takes place on Sunday, 7 July, groups can book in for a two-and-a-half-hour morning or afternoon session at the event.
Tickets are just £3.50 for adults, £10.95 for kids ages 1-3 and £13.95 for those aged four and over. You can grab yours HERE.
Channel 4 is looking for Manc couples to take part in a big ‘sex experiment’
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 is currently casting for one of its boldest TV shows, and needs some “adventurous couples” from Greater Manchester to take part.
If you cast your minds back to right at the beginning of this year, you may remember that Channel 4 grabbed headlines when it announced that it was looking for adult virgins who were willing to volunteer themselves for a brand-new reality series with the working title ‘The Intimacy Retreat’.
The nature of the new TV show might not have come as a mega shock to some, as the broadcaster is also behind other sex-based reality shows such as Naked Attraction and Sex Box too.
But now, Channel 4 has put out another nationwide casting call, and this one’s for the potential third series of what is probably one of its most daring shows yet, Open House: The Great Sex Experiment – with producers currently on the look-out for the UK’s most “adventurous couples”, including those from Greater Manchester, to take part.
Channel 4 is looking for Manc couples to take part in a big ‘sex experiment’ / Credit: Channel 4
Unfamiliar with the premise of Open House: The Great Sex Experiment? Well, in a nutshell, the series basically explores whether relationships can thrive without monogamy.
In what is described as a “bold social experiment”, a group of monogamous couples are asked to consider, for the first time, if they would be happier in open relationships, while relationship coaches and sex therapists assist them in their journeys to challenging the notion that having sex with other people is at odds with being in a committed relationship.
However, it’s not all plain sailing, as the couples discover the difficulties involved with abandoning monogamy.
The bold reality show’s producers are on the look out for “adventurous couples” / Credit: Channel 4
The casting call on the Channel 4 website reads: “Do you fancy taking part in a potential new series of ‘Open House: The Great Sex Experiment’? Do you question monogamy? Would you like the opportunity to explore opening up your relationship? In this bold concept, committed couples come to a luxury retreat to test whether opening up their relationships and having sex with other people will strengthen their bond.”
Reckon you’re up for it then? If you fancy taking part in the next series of Open House: The Great Sex Experiment, then head on over to the Channel 4 website to find out more and apply.
Daisy Jackson -
1st July 2024 
