Paul O’Grady, 64, shares an adorable new photo of his rescue puppy Nancy

Paul O’Grady has shared an adorable snap of his new family member, Nancy, a sweet Jack Russell puppy adopted from Battersea Cats & Dogs Home.  

The iconic TV star, 64, who is known for his programme filmed at the rescue facility, shared the heartbreaking news with fans earlier this week that his beloved pooch Boycie passed away.  

On Friday, Paul shared a photo of his new puppy to Instagram with a caption explaining he had been asked to foster a dog amid the coronavirus lockdown but of course, would be keeping her.

To accompany the snap of the adorable tri-coloured Jack, Paul penned: ‘As Battersea had closed temporarily and I’d been filming there we were asked if we’d like to foster a dog. 

‘I’d grown quite fond of this little pup so I took her home. Of course I fully intended to keep her from the start and I’ve called her Nancy. Don’t let the innocent look fool you- she’s well ‘are.’

Following the initial post, Paul shared a sweet snap of Nancy spread out on a faux fur grey blanket. 

He shared: ‘Just thought I’d let you all know at Battersea how Nancy is doing. She’s twice her size, extremely confident, loves her grub and when she’s not terrorising Arfur( who’s mad on her) she likes to pose for glamour shots on her faux fur rug. 

‘I’m thinking of you all and wish I was there with the crew filming. Hope all the dogs and cats are doing ok which I’m sure they are with the all the love and care you show them. Keep well and see you soon that’s if Nancy hasn’t chewed my foot off. X’     

Before starting his Instagram account this week, he shared the devastating news that Boycie passed away over Twitter.  

The star posed with his beloved dog in a sweet throwback snap with the caption: ‘A message from Paul… Sadly, he had to say goodbye to Boycie today. He asked me to share this photo’.  

Paul is well-known for his love of dogs and has filmed eight series of Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs, a documentary about his work with rescue dogs and the ins and outs of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

The presenter previously called Bischon / ShiTzu mix Boycie ‘a smashing little fella’. 

In February last year, Paul revealed his beloved dog Bullseye had passed away, as he said in a statement: ‘I can’t handle it, it’s what I always say – invite an animal into your life, inevitably you invite heartache.’

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown, Paul urged dog lovers and fans not to adopt a pup. 

He said: ‘I think you should be really cautious about getting a dog at this time because this isn’t forever you know. I know the sentiment and where it is coming from. I really do sympathise…

‘What happens when all this is over and the owner goes back to work? The dog who is used to having people round all the time might find itself on it’s own. I understand and I can talk…

‘I just pick a dog up and get on with it. Say you worked in an office or something the dog will be alone and might get separation anxiety.’

Last week, the radio presenter told Gaby Roslin, 55, he combined cider vinegar, garlic and rosemary, lemongrass, parsley and a bay leaf.

A similar potion was used to fend off the plague in the 1600s. However, there is no evidence that this works and anyone with symptoms should seek medical advice. 

Paul said: ‘I’m alright now. Last week I had flu like symptoms. I didn’t have the cough bad, I certainly didn’t have the temperature or anything so I just got on with it…

‘That was when the heating had gone so it was minus two down here and freezing and I thought someone had got it in for me. I’m fine now.’

While he has not been diagnosed, Paul is convinced he did in fact have the coronavirus. He said: ‘Most definitely. That’s knocking about, but there’s also flus and seasonal colds going about so you’ve got to tell yourself and learn the difference.

‘The coronavirus… you’d know if you caught that. I lay on the couch with the fire on and the dogs on top of me moaning. When you are lying on the couch dying or you think you are. It was sheer exhaustion like Chris Evans had too.’ 

Paul admitted he had made up the vinegar solution himself, calling it Four Thieves Vinegar. 

He said: ‘In France during the plague in the 1600s four thieves were going around and they were knocking off everybody’s houses and robbing the dead so when they were finally sentenced to be burned at the stake…

‘The magistrate said if you tell us how you’ve managed to survive not getting the plague I’ll lower the sentence to hanging which was big of him. 

‘Basically this is the recipe which is cider vinegar with as many cloves of garlic in it as you can take and four different kinds of herbs to represent the four thieves.’