Pete Wicks was left heartbroken during the latest episode of his UKTV series For Dogs’ Sake, after learning that Theo, a rescue dog he had bonded with, was terminally ill.

The 36-year-old former TOWIE star met Theo, a young Italian Mastiff at the Dogs Trust shelter, and was devastated to learn he had dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) — a serious heart condition giving him just 12 months to live. Despite being full of life, Theo’s future was uncertain.

Visibly emotional, Pete cried while holding Theo, later telling the cameras, “It’s broken my heart. He has so much soul — he should be in a home.” He described feeling helpless, admitting he had “completely and utterly fallen in love” with the dog.

Pete also highlighted how hard it is to rehome large dogs amid the cost-of-living crisis, especially those needing ongoing care. “If any dog deserves love in the time he has left, it’s Theo,” he said.

This emotional episode follows Pete’s mission to find Theo a loving home for his final months. Calling For Dogs’ Sake a six-year passion project, Pete shared: “Dogs don’t ask for anything but love and trust — that’s a beautiful thing.”