GMB host Robert Rinder opens up on his grief after…

GMB host Robert Rinder opens up on his grief after death of beloved dog Rocco

Robert Rinder choked up on Good Morning Britain as he paid tribute to his dog Rocco after his sudden death.

The guest GMB host was left heartbroken after his pet died last week. And on Monday he became emotional as he told ITV viewers what happened and spoke about his grief.

He told co-presenter Susanna Reid: "He was a friend of yours, like all dogs he could see the soul of somebody even where they may express their undivided indifference to them." Susanna told him: "I know how close you were to Rocco," while he admitted the loss of Rocco had left him feeling "lonely".

Robert added: "It's not just people, it's about needing to have an emotional connection and feeling a sense of mission and purpose, and people and kids and family bring that. For a lot of people it's a pet and in my case, it was the structure of my day.

"Like most people I wasn't necessarily a dog person, but then this beautiful snoring creature came into my life and gave me absolute loyalty and unconditional love. There's nothing like the profound delight of arriving home and somebody, this beautiful creature, being completely full of limitless joy just to see you. No human being will give you that.

Rob Rinder speaks about the loss of his dog on GMB (ITV)

"Anybody who's a dog owner that's ever experienced that sort of loss will understand. I know for sure, and I never thought I would be this person and I know people out there who might roll their eyes and shrug their shoulders, I know there are big issues in the world, but to have had the gift of loyalty, of a loving dog and to have lost that dog or a pet is a challenging thing."

Susanna grabbed his arm to support him as Robert became tearful. He continued: "It's one of those things that years ago I might have been a bit sceptical about. Thank you for a beautiful loving life. I loved him very, very much."

Robert, 44, announced the death of Rocco last week, sharing an image on social media of the spotted white and brown French bulldog as a puppy, and another of the pair sleeping on the sofa. He wrote: "My Rocco died suddenly yesterday. He blessed me with a lifetime of loyalty and limitless joy.

"I don't speak about my private world normally. But wanted to share my profound sadness with anybody who has ever loved a dog. It is the deepest gift of unconditional love imaginable."

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