TV FAVOURITE Dermot O'Leary has penned an emotional tribute to his pet cat Silver after he passed away from a heart condition.
The popular presenter posted on his Instagram account on Monday, July 24, that the much-loved pet had died after he was given just days to live in December 2016.
Mr O'Leary and his wife Dee Koppang had the four-year-old cat since birth, after Ms Koppang assisted in his delivery in an Italian olive grove in Puglia in 2013.
Posting on the social media site alongside a series of photos of the cat, Mr O'Leary said: "Had to finally say goodbye to our little Italian boy Silver today.
"He bravely fought on for 7 months against a horrible heart condition. One tough little Puglia paisano cat!
"No words can begin to describe what a massive heart shaped hole he leaves in our lives.
"He made our house a home, made us better people, and won the hearts of all that met him. He gave & received unconditional love, and was genuinely the most dog like cat we've ever met.
"He was only 4. And in our minds, that means he's joined the 27 club- in cat years. He lived up to the mantra... Live fast and die young.
"As heartbroken as we are, we are so grateful for the stray kitten which came into our lives.
"From the moment he came into the world in an olive grove in Puglia - Dee actually helped deliver him, in a deft piece of cat midwifery - to his last breath holding onto his mama, he was a wonderful friend, companion and cuddle giver, and you couldn't have wished for a more human like cat.
"Smart, funny, intuitive, with a model looks & a killer blue steel."
He added: "Rest easy little prince, we miss you terribly. Snooze & play on the laps of those who we followed, and know we'll be rubbing that brilliant white belly, and massaging those beautiful pink paws, further on up the road."
Mr O'Leary also thanked the staff at The Village Vets who looked after Silver, but said: "Some hearts are just too big to be here too long."
Earlier this month, he shared a touching tribute to his parents who are moving back to Ireland after 49 years living in Britain.
O’Leary took to Instagram to post a picture of mam and dad Sean and Marie outside their British home as they prepared to move back to their native Wexford.
He wrote alongside the snaps: “Since they’ve moved in ’68 the people have been nothing but kind, welcoming and generous to them in a time when it wasn’t easy to be Irish in Britain. But home calls.
“So thanks Maria and Sean, for being brave enough to pack up as kids, leave your homes, loved one and move somewhere no one knows you."
