Soaps heartbreaking pet deaths – EastEnders Wellard to Emmerdale pooch Alfie

Coronation Street fans were left devastated earlier this week after cobbles resident Evelyn Plummer said goodbye to beloved pooch Cerberus.

Cerberus is just one of a number of beloved soap pets who have become fan favourites, with their deaths leaving viewers heartbroken throughout the years.

From Wellard in EastEnders to Emmerdale's Alfie and Brookside's Cracker, there have been lots of pets that fans have grown to know and love.

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However, their departures have been devastating for both the characters on-screen and the viewers at home – and here, Daily Star looks back on the beloved soap pets we've loved and lost.

Cerberus (Coronation Street)

Coronation Street fans were heartbroken recently after Evelyn Plummer's dog Cerberus died after suffering from kidney failure.

Cerberus arrived on the cobbles in 2018 and became a fan favourite, with viewers taking to social media following the emotional scenes that saw vets telling Evelyn that his organs were failing and despite treatment options, his condition would not improve.

Viewers were left in tears as Evelyn said goodbye to her best friend before he was put to sleep, with one saying: "Thanks corrie i’m now uncontrollably sobbing #Corrie."

"If @itvcorrie’s mission was to get every household sobbing, congratulations you’ve done it #corrie," added a second.

A third penned: "Oh I can't stand it, why do animals get to us like this, I'm a f**king mess here #Corrie #CoronationStreet."

Wellard I and II (EastEnders)

Robbie Jackson and Wellard were one of the most iconic soap pairings of all time.

The duo were rarely seen without one another, after the beloved pooch made his debut in 1994 – and was even voted Best Pet at the 2008 Digital Spy Awards.

Wellard even became a hero when he saved Gus from a minibus crash in 2003.

After more than a decade on the square though, Wellard met a tragic end after Robbie's sister Bianca accidently poisoned him and he had to be put to sleep.

Three female dogs played Wellard in total throughout the character's soap stint, including Zenna, her daughter Chancer and granddaughter Kyte.

The family tradition continued too, as Zenna's grandson Panther took on the role of Wellard II – Robbie's next pet.

However in 2017, fans were left in shock as Robbie's sister Sonia announced that Wellard II had died.

She revealed the devastating news while visiting the late Dot Cotton in hospital, telling her: "Robbie lost Wellard II a while back."

Viewers took to Twitter to share their heartbreak, with one saying: "Oh no, Wellard II died as well."

Another begged: "It's not right, Robbie being back on the Square without a dog. Bring on Wellard the Third."

Alfie (Emmerdale)

Emmerdale fans were left heartbroken in 2017 after the Dingle's beloved family pooch Alfie died.

In emotional scenes, the family were forced to say goodbye to Alfie after making the difficult decision to put him to sleep, following the news that he had an inoperable brain tumour.

Village vet Paddy Kirk put Alfie down in the heartbreaking scenes, which left both the Dingles on screen and viewers at home in floods of tears.

"Noooo not Alfie. Poor Dingles they love him so much #emmerdale" tweeted one fan.

Another added: "Nooooooo not Alfie anyone but not him #Emmerdale #cantcope"

A third penned: "Oh my GOD I'm traumatised at #emmerdale I feel like I've grown up with that dog"

The decision to write Alfie out of the soap was taken after the dog who played him, also called Alfie, was retiring from the soap at the age of 11 years old – after more than a decade on Emmerdale.

During that time, Alfie was at the centre of huge storylines including discovering a dead body – and used to feature in the opening credits too.

Speaking about his depature, Alfie's real life owner said in a statement: "We realised Alfie was getting older as his hearing is not what it was and we felt is was kinder to put Alfie into retirement before his job got too hard for him to do it well.

"But be reassured in real life Alfie is enjoying life in retirement."

Cracker (Brookside)

Brookside legend Jimmy Corkill was joined by dog Cracker for more than 68 episodes on the Channel 4 soap during the nineties – with the pairing seeming to be inseparable.

Played by dog Kelly, Cracker soon became embroiled in stories such as being dog-napped by one of Jimmy's enemies in shocking scenes.

Sadly, Cracker later died after being run over by a van, leaving Brookside residents and soap fans devastated.

Audrey (Neighbours)

Neighbours has had some memorable soap dogs, including Labrador Bouncer, who many fans may remember had a sweet dream montage where he married next door's dog.

One of the firm fixtures on Ramsay Street however was The Kennedy's adorable pooch Audrey.

She joined the soap in 2001 when she was just eight weeks old and remained on the soap until 2011.

Audrey was at the centre of a story that saw her walk all the way back to Ramsay Street, after becoming homesick while living with Libby Kennedy in Adelaide following the death of her husband Drew.

Her return was an emotional and heartwarming surprise for The Kennedys, but her time back home was sadly short-lived when Libby's brother Mal accidently killed Audrey after running her over.

Audrey's exit was written into the soap after the dog who played her was put to sleep after she were diagnosed with cancer.

Paying tribute to the popular pet, Karl Kennedy star Alan Fletcher told the official Neighbours website: "It was just lovely to have Audrey around, she really did brighten up the set and she made the Kennedys a complete family. She'll be sadly missed by everyone."

Susan Kennedy star Jackie Woodburne also paid tribute, saying: When she first joined she was so well-trained that she would only come to us when it was part of the scene.

"However, it wasn't long before she considered the set her home and us her family [and] she wouldn't hesitate to come over for a pat or cuddle, but she was always the professional."

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