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.”
The Coronation Street Experience has launched a major recruitment drive for jobs on the cobbles
Daisy Jackson
Ever fancied a job working on the most famous street on television? Now’s your chance.
The Coronation Street Experience has launched a major recruitment drive for positions on the iconic cobbles.
They’re on the hunt for Corrie fans who can step into the roles of tour guides and guest services team members, leading members of the public on tours around the set of the nation’s favourite soap.
Successful applicants will be able to bring more than 65 years of TV history to life for all the visitors who flock from around the world to visit the ITV Studio’s production site.
Members of the public have been able to step onto the real filming location used in the long-running soap for more than a decade, popping into iconic locations like the Rovers Return, Roy’s Rolls, and Underworld.
The Coronation Street Experience has recently increased its tour capacity ahead of another busy summer season, and now needs extra hands who know their Platts from their Barlows.
They’re hoping to recruit passionate fans who can turn their love for the soap into a job, with duties including greeting visitors all the way to guiding them around the world-famous set.
Current tour guide Shaun Whitehouse said: “Working on the set is something most fans only dream about.
There are jobs up for grabs on the iconic Coronation Street cobbles. Credit: The Manc Group
“Every tour is different. One moment you’re sharing little-known behind-the-scenes stories and the next you’re helping guests have their photos taken outside the Rovers.
“Seeing people’s reactions when they step onto the set for the first time is magical – it really never gets old.”
Ashley Bolton-Burrows, General Manager of the Coronation Street Experience, said: “Coronation Street has been part of British life for generations and we welcome fans from all over the world who want to experience the magic of the show up close.
“We’re looking for people with energy, personality and a genuine passion for the show. Whether they’ve watched for decades or grown up with the programme, this is a fantastic opportunity to work somewhere truly unique and help create unforgettable memories for our guests.”
The Coronation Street Experience has become one of Greater Manchester’s most popular visitor attractions, giving fans exclusive access to the largest single TV production site in the world.
Applications are now open. For more information or to apply, head HERE.
You can win two VIP tickets to a Co-op Live show as part of a heartwarming Manc charity raffle
Danny Jones
Fancy bagging yourself the posh treatment at the biggest indoor gig and live entertainment venue in the city? Well, you can do just that by entering the latest Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raffle, which is offering a pair of VIP tickets to a Co-op Live show.
All you have to do is simply do your bit for a crucial local cause.
It’s one that we’ve worked closely with in the past on many occasions: the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, which helps house rough sleepers across the region.
Teaming up with The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness – which was created specifically to generate funds for this ongoing crisis – as well as an upcoming community social, all you have to do to be in with a chance is put your name down for a cheap raffle ticket.
Writing in the caption of the post, the Mayor’s Charity has revealed that “Cross Club Social and The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness are teaming up to raffle off 2x VIP Co-op Live tickets to a show of your choosing.”
That’s right, not just any random show – you get to pick which one you fancy going along to in style.
With the 2026 edition of the annual fundraising relay event, on behalf of Greater Manchester’s homeless community, taking place this November (find out more on the GMMC website and keep up to date with us here at The Manc for the latest) they’re hoping to get the donations going nice and early.
For anyone unaware, the Cross Club Social, or ‘XCS’, has been going for a few years now; it brings together runners from all over the 10 boroughs for a big post-race party, all whilst raising money for charitable organisations.
DJs, karaoke, quizzing, three full rooms, an entire beer garden to themselves, and MUCH more. 👀
The next edition will be taking place this Friday, 19 June, over at the award-winning Fairfield Social Club, where an all-day party will run, pardon the pun, well into the night.
Better still, entrants into the raffle don’t have to wait long to find out if they’re a winner, as the lucky recipient is set to be announced the following Saturday (20 Jun) after the big shindig over on the XCS Instagram page.
The Mayor’s Charity team signed off by adding, “Good luck and together, we will end homelessness” – a mission that many Manc groups, especially, have been working so hard to make possible in recent times.
For instance, last year alone, the aforementioned 24 Hour Run, whose team will be in attendance and taking donations for at XCS 2026, generated a whopping £70k, and the total tally has now reached truly life-changing sums.
As for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raffle, you can grab a ticket HERE for just a fiver to secure your chance to go along to a VIP night at Co-op Live. Fingers crossed!
Daisy Jackson -
1st July 2024 
