Tess Daly has been left “devastated” after she accidentally ran over and killed her dog.
Minnie, a Maltese Shih Tzu, escaped after builders left a door open at her family mansion, according to the Sun On Sunday.
The accident happened as the Strictly Come Dancing host was returning home in her Range Rover and the pet ran under her front wheels.
Tess told the newspaper: “I’m horrified and devastated by this terrible, tragic accident.
“It has had a huge effect on the whole family and we are heartbroken at losing Minnie.
“This has, and continues to be, a very emotional time for us all.”
She described six-year-old Minnie’s death as “a dog owner’s worst nightmare”.
According to the newspaper, Tess was unaware Minnie had got out of the house and did not have time to react when the pet ran under her car.
The accident – which has also devastated Tess’s husband, TV host Vernon Kay, and their daughters, aged 14 and nine – happened last month, days before the family were due to fly to the Maldives.
Last month Tess, along with her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Claudia Winkleman raised £782,686 for Comic Relief, having danced non-stop in the longest danceathon in Red Nose Day history.
Tess posted a celebratory selfie on Instagram after the marathon dancing stint, writing: “Can’t walk upstairs to the hot bath my legs are so stiff; but SO proud that you helped us to raise over £780,000 for @rednoseday charities.”