John Bishop has shared some sad family news, causing friends and fans to offer support to the comedian. John announced on Instagram on Thursday (June 8) that his beloved pet pig Milo had passed away, more than a decade after he joined the family.
Posting a series of snaps to Instagram, John celebrated the memories he had with Milo and shared them with fans. In one photo, John could be seen hand feeding chopped up fruit from a bowl to Milo, whilst another showed him cuddling up to the large farm animal on the grass, joined by his dog.
He wrote: "Today we lost a friend. Milo was the first rescue animal @melbish1 adopted when I returned home from a tour to find him in the garden.
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"Since then he has been the heartbeat of our animal family. I am so grateful that @melbish1 captured me sat with him last weekend, something I would often do until he would get bored of me and move away."
"He has lived with us for over a decade and wandered wherever he wanted," John added. "He had special relationship with Mel’s mum and a unique bond with Mel.
"I never ever thought we would have a pig as a pet and I never knew how much I would miss him knowing he won’t be there when I go into the garden . Like all pets he gave so much more than he took.
"Goodnight Milo - I am going to miss our chats."
Scores of John's friends and fans offered kind words and love to John as he mourned the loss of Milo. "Gutted to hear that pal," wrote Paddy McGuinness.
"My kids loved meeting him. Proper character. x"
John's wife Mel commented: "Always my little wandering Prince."
"Sending lots of love x" wrote singer Louise Redknapp.
"He was one lucky boy John," one fan wrote. "He had a life that most pigs never get. Sleep tight Milo."
Another said: "I'm so sorry for your loss. I loved the posts about him. His fear of the tiles, the love of choccie biscuits and the occasional diva strop. Sleep easy Milo, you will be missed. X"
Milo's death marks another loss for John, who lost his mum, Kathleen, in March. The Scouse comic was due to perform in Mother Goose with Sir Ian McKellen, but pulled out of the show following his mother's death.
John, who played Vic in the comedy pantomime, later revealed that Kathleen had watched him perform in the show two weeks prior to her death, aged 80. "Good night Mum, you were our sunshine," John wrote in an Instagram post earlier this year.
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