Ricky Gervais and his partner Jane Fallon have announced the death of their social media star cat Ollie.
The feline died at the impressive age of 16 on Tuesday, with both owners taking to Twitter to relay the news.
‘Just had to say goodbye to the sweetest little soul I’ve ever known. RIP Ollie. July 9th 2003 – March 10th 2020,’ wrote comedian Ricky, 58.
Tragic news: Ricky Gervais and his partner Jane Fallon have announced the death of their social media star cat Ollie
Ricky followed this up later, tagging the pet’s social media account, posting: ‘A heartfelt thank you for all your lovely tributes to @myleftfang.
‘I can’t quite bring myself to respond at the moment, but your kindness is very much appreciated.’
His author partner penned: ‘I have awful news. My smart, funny, feisty, beautiful sidekick of the last 16 & a half years @myleftfang has passed away after a sudden down turn in her health at the weekend.
‘My heart is broken in two. I have no idea what I’m going to do without her by my side. #Ollie.’
Feline friend: Fans flocked to Ricky’s social media to wish him well
Sad loss: The feline died at the impressive age of 16 on Tuesday, with both owners taking to Twitter to relay the news
Beloved pet: ‘Just had to say goodbye to the sweetest little soul I’ve ever known. RIP Ollie. July 9th 2003 – March 10th 2020,’ wrote comedian Ricky, 58
Ricky followed this up later, tagging the pet’s social media account, posting: ‘A heartfelt thank you for all your lovely tributes to @myleftfang’
The couple were given Ollie by Jonathan Ross on his Friday night chat show in 2003 and the cat was popular in her own right, with a Twitter account that had more than 60,000 followers.
The biography on Ollie’s Twitter account, run by the couple, said that she was ‘3/8 BURMESE, 1/8 SIAMESE, 1/4 CORNISH REX, 1/4 DEVON REX, 1/2 ENGLISH, 1/4 FRENCH CANADIAN, 1/4 IRISH & 100% CAT!’
The social media page was full of pictures of her along with humorous captions written in the style of a cat.
When they met: The couple were given Ollie by Jonathan Ross on his Friday night chat show in 2003 and the cat was popular in her own right, with a Twitter account that had more than 60,000 followers
Author partner Jane penned: ‘I have awful news. My smart, funny, feisty, beautiful sidekick of the last 16 & a half years @myleftfang has passed away after a sudden down turn in her health at the weekend’
She added: ‘My heart is broken in two. I have no idea what I’m going to do without her by my side. #Ollie’
Shortly after her death was announced, ‘RIP Ollie’ trended on Twitter.
Tributes came pouring in for the late feline – from fans as well as the creme de la creme of showbusiness.
Hollywood star Eric Bana tweeted: ‘So so sorry to hear that news mate. Much love to you and Jane.’
Broadway star Bernadette Peters sent a heartbreak emoji, while Frasier actress Bebe Neuwirth posted the same, along with, ‘RIP Ollie’.
Trending: Shortly after her death was announced, ‘RIP Ollie’ trended on Twitter
Condolences: Stars sent Ricky and Jane their sympathy
The likes of Susanna Reid, Ashley James and David Baddiel sent their condolences.
In 2017, Jane told ITV’s Lorraine that she was hoping Ollie, who was 13 at the time, had ‘another 20 years in her’.
She added: ‘I love her. Home isn’t home without an animal, there’s something about having animals around the place that, I don’t know, makes it feel like a much nicer place.’