Ashleigh and Pudsey

Ashleigh and Pudsey was a British dog trick act, comprising trainer Ashleigh Jade Butler (born 7 February 1995) and Pudsey (28 December 2005 – 20 July 2017), a male Border Collie, Bichon Frise, and Chinese Crested powderpuff cross. They achieved prominence as contestants in the sixth series of the television talent show Britain's Got Talent, which they won on 12 May 2012, becoming the first dog trick act to win the competition.[1][2]

Ashleigh and Pudsey at the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in 2012.

On 21 July 2017, Butler announced that Pudsey had died. Following his death, Butler said that her other trained dog, Sully, would take over future events but would "never become Pudsey”.[3]

Career

Britain's Got Talent

Ashleigh and Pudsey were part of the sixth series of Britain's Got Talent. Their audition was held in Cardiff and aired on 7 April 2012. They danced to "Meet the Flintstones" by The B-52's. Although in 2012, four judges were introduced on the panel, on the day of recording Amanda Holden was not able to attend, therefore they performed to the remaining three. With a standing ovation from the audience and all three judges, they were put through to the next round. Simon Cowell said "Pudsey is one of the best dancing dogs I've ever seen".

They participated in the first semi-final on 6 May 2012, performing to "Peppy and George" from The Artist. They were later voted through to the final by the public.

The final was held on 12 May 2012, where they performed to "Theme from Mission: Impossible". The routine involved Pudsey walking across the judging panel and then climbing onto Ashleigh's back. Later that evening, Ashleigh and Pudsey won the 2012 series of Britain's Got Talent, beating classical duo Jonathan and Charlotte.

Post Britain's Got Talent

On 2 June 2012, Ashleigh and Pudsey performed at Epsom Downs Racecourse in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.[4]

In September 2012, Ashleigh and Pudsey were guest judges on ITV2's Top Dog Model.

As part of the prize for winning Britain's Got Talent, Ashleigh and Pudsey performed at the 84th Royal Variety Performance on 19 November 2012 in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II, which aired on ITV on 3 December.[5]

In December 2012, Pudsey played the role of Duchess in David Walliams' TV adaptation of his children's book Mr Stink.

On Boxing Day 2012, Ashleigh and Pudsey were judges on ITV talent show That Dog Can Dance! hosted by Christine Bleakley.

In early 2013, Ashleigh and Pudsey were co-presenters on the CBBC programme Who Let the Dogs Out and About? which toured the UK throughout the summer of 2012. Since Autumn of 2013, Ashleigh and Pudsey have become presenters of the main show, Who Let the Dogs Out?. In April 2015, Ashleigh and Pudsey were guest presenters at the 10th Young Scot Awards.[6] In July 2016, Ashleigh took part in a celebrity episode of First Dates on Channel 4.

In March 2020, Ashleigh and Sully appeared on Crackerjack!.[7]

Pudsey the Dog: The Movie
Main article: Pudsey the Dog: The Movie

In January 2013, it was announced that Simon Cowell would produce Pudsey: The Movie. The film, which was released in the UK on 18 July 2014, follows Pudsey and three siblings Molly, George and Tommy as they move to the village of Chuffington-on-Sea with their mother Gail (Jessica Hynes) and set out to save the village from their landlord Mr Thorne (John Sessions) and his cat Faustus. Pudsey is voiced by comedian David Walliams.[8][9]

Theatre

From December 2012 to January 2013, Ashleigh and Pudsey performed at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking in Dick Whittington opposite Stephen Mulhern. The deal is believed to have been worth around £150,000.[10]

From December 2013 to January 2014, Ashleigh and Pudsey performed in Dick Whittington opposite Jodie Prenger at the Opera House, Manchester.

From December 2014 to January 2015, Ashleigh and Pudsey starred in Dick Whittington at the Bristol Hippodrome.

They played the roles of Dorothy and Toto in the Easter pantomime of The Wizard of Oz at the Playhouse, Whitley Bay on 9 and 10 April 2015.[11]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Reference(s)
2012 Britain's Got Talent Contestants
Top Dog Model Guest judges [12]
Mr Stink Duchess (Pudsey only) [13]
That Dog Can Dance! Judges [14]
2013 Who Let the Dogs Out and About? Presenters and performers
2013–2014 Who Let the Dogs Out? Presenters
2014–2015 The Dog Ate My Homework Panelist (Ashleigh only) 6 episodes
2019 America's Got Talent: The Champions Contestants

(Ashleigh and Sully)

Britain's Got Talent: The Champions Contestants

(Ashleigh and Sully)
Guest appearances

Film
Year Title Role Release date
2014 Pudsey: The Movie Pudsey 18 July 2014

Theatre
Year Title Role Location
2012–13 Dick Whittington Alice Fitzwarren and her dog New Victoria Theatre, Woking
2013–14 Opera House, Manchester
2014–15 Bristol Hippodrome
2015 Wizard of Oz Dorothy and Toto Playhouse, Whitley Bay
2015–16 Cinderella Darlington Civic Theatre
2016 Jack and the Beanstalk Princess Apricot Royal & Derngate Northampton
2017 Wycombe Swan Theatre
2018 Alice in Wonderland Alice Rhyl Pavilion Theatre
2020–21 Once Upon a Panto Princess Aurora and Sully

Writing

On 11 October 2012, Pudsey's "official" autobiography, Pudsey: My Autobidography (ISBN 978-0751550870), was published by the Sphere imprint of Little, Brown and Company.[25] The book formed part of a £100,000 publishing deal with Ashleigh Butler.[26][27]

Charity work and campaigns

In 2012, Ashleigh and Pudsey fronted a PETA campaign calling for a ban on cruelty to animals in circuses.[28][29] In December 2012, Ashleigh and Pudsey launched a Christmas appeal alongside Vets4Pets to highlight the risks that pets face over the Christmas period.[30]

Pudsey's death and aftermath

On 20 July 2017, Pudsey was euthanised as he had terminal leukaemia.[31] Ashleigh announced Pudsey's death via her Instagram.[32] The next day, Butlers's management announced that her trained dog, Sully, a Border Collie, Chinese Crested Powderpuff, and Poodle cross, would replace Pudsey in booked pantomime appearances and other future arrangements.[33]

In 2018 and 2019, Sully (full name Ag Ch. The Closet Monster of Ashpen), along with Butler, won the small breed agility competition at Crufts.[34]

See also

References
  1. "Ashleigh and Pudsey become first dog trick act to win Britain's Got Talent". The Telegraph. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  2. "Ashleigh and Pudsey win Britain's Got Talent". BBC News. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  3. Powell, Emma (24 July 2017). "Pudsey the dog death: Ashleigh breaks down on This Morning". Standard.co.uk. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  4. "Katherine Jenkins, Ashleigh and Pudsey all look gorgeous at Epsom racecourse". The Mirror. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  5. "Pudsey waltzes away with the BGT crown". The Independent. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  6. "Young Scots 2015: Emotional ovation for family as inspirational teen Jak Trueman is honoured with top award". Daily Record. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  7. "CBBC - Crackerjack!, Series 1, Nine". BBC.
  8. "'Britain's Got Talent' Simon Cowell to produce Ashleigh and Pudsey film – Britain's Got Talent News – Reality TV". Digital Spy. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  9. "Kristen Stewart wanted for Simon Cowell's Ashleigh and Pudsey movie – TV News". Digital Spy. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  10. New Victoria Theatre. "Dick Whittington Woking Tickets – New Victoria Theatre Panto 2012". Atgtickets.com. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  11. Barr, Gordon (3 September 2014). "Britain's Got Talent's Ashleigh and Pudsey to star in Whitley Bay Easter pantomime". Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  12. "Ashleigh & Pudsey to star in 'Top Dog Model' on ITV2 – TV News". Digital Spy. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  13. "'Britain's Got Talent' Pudsey makes TV acting debut in 'Mr Stink' – TV News". Digital Spy. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  14. "Simon Cowell 'launching dog talent show Take The Lead' – TV News". Digital Spy. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  15. "Ashleigh and Pudsey | Showbiz| Daybreak ITV1". Itv.com. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  16. "Ashleigh and Pudsey | Showbiz | Lorraine". ITV. 27 May 2011. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  17. "'America's Got Talent' 2012 recap: Props ablaze and 'A big ol' Nicki Minaj'". 18 July 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  18. "Pudsey and Pudsey – Children in Need 2012 – BBC One". YouTube. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  19. "The Royal Variety Performance 2012". Archived from the original on 1 December 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  20. "Super Famous Animals". ITV Studios. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  22. "'Britain's Got Talent' Pudsey to dance 'Gangnam Style' at NTAs". Digital Spy. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  23. "Celebrity Juice Episode 2". itv.com. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  24. "Celebrity Squares Episode 2". itv.com. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  25. "L,B acquires Pudsey 'autobidography'". The Bookseller. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  26. "BGT's Ashley and Pudsey celebrate book launch | News | Britains Got Talent | Reality TV | What's on TV". Whatsontv.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  27. "Pudsey gets his paws on a book deal! – Britain's Got Talent – Article". Talent.itv.com. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  28. "Ashleigh and Pudsey front new PETA campaign". STV. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  29. "Ashleigh and Pudsey front new PETA campaign". London Evening Standard. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  30. "Ashleigh and Pudsey back Christmas pet campaign | Anglia – ITV News". Itv.com. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  31. "Pudsey's death 'was hardest decision of my life'". Sky News. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  32. "Britain's Got Talent champion dog Pudsey dies". BBC News. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  33. Westbrook, Caroline (22 July 2017). "Ashleigh Butler will continue performing with dog Sully following Pudsey's death". Metro. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  34. "Britain's Got Talent star Ashleigh Butler wins at Crufts with new dog Sully". Smooth. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
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