After a filming day in London, Ant spotted a muddy, limping dog outside ITV Studios. What followed was a ÂŁ120,000 vet bill, a custom wheelchair, and a new animal rescue foundation launched in the dogâs name. But the real twist? The dogâs microchip revealed something that even shocked DecâŠ


In the heart of Londonâs South Bank, where the hum of traffic mingled with the glow of ITV Studios, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were wrapping a long day of filming Britainâs Got Talent. At 49, the Geordie duo were TV icons, their laughter and warmth a staple for millions. As they stepped outside into the chilly evening, Ant noticed a muddy, limping dog curled up near a studio bin. Its fur was matted, one hind leg dragging, and its eyes held a quiet plea. While Dec chatted with crew, Ant knelt beside the dog, offering a gentle hand. âAlright, mate, whatâs your story?â he murmured. That moment sparked a chain of events no one saw coming.

The dog, a scruffy terrier mix, shivered as Ant carefully scooped it up. Dec, noticing, joined him, his usual grin fading. âPoor thingâs in a state,â he said. They rushed the dog to a 24-hour vet clinic, where scans revealed a fractured pelvis, severe malnutrition, and an infected wound. The vetâs estimate for treatmentâsurgery, rehab, and ongoing careâwas ÂŁ120,000. Without hesitation, Ant pulled out his card. âDo whatever it takes,â he said. Dec nodded, already calling their assistant to clear their schedules.

Over the next week, Ant and Dec took turns visiting the clinic, naming the dog Hope for its stubborn will to survive. They funded a custom wheelchair to support Hopeâs mobility, ensuring she could move without pain. But the real twist came when the vet scanned Hopeâs microchip. It revealed sheâd been missing for three years, belonging to a family in Croydon whoâd lost her during a house fire. The family, the Thompsons, had assumed Hope died in the blaze that claimed their home and savings. The revelation shocked Dec, whoâd expected a stray with no history. âSheâs got a family out there,â he said, voice thick. âWeâve got to find them.â
Ant and Dec tracked down the Thompsons, a single mum, Sarah, and her two kids, who were living in a cramped flat, still rebuilding their lives. They invited them to the clinic, keeping their identities quiet to avoid a media frenzy. When Sarah saw Hope, now clean and wagging her tail in her wheelchair, she collapsed in tears, her kids clinging to the dog they thought theyâd lost forever. Ant and Dec stood back, letting the reunion unfold. Sarah explained how Hope had been their anchor before the fire, and how losing her had broken their hearts.