Pudsey’s heartbroken owner has now replaced him with a lookalike pup

The adorable crossbreed star of Britain's Got Talent, Pudsey, sadly passed away this week.

However, his owner, Ashleigh Jade Butler, has already replaced him with an equally lovable lookalike pup. Originally called Sully, the new dog has even been renamed Pudsey in her predecessor's honour.

A post shared by ashleigh butler (@ashleighbutler7) on Jul 22, 2017 at 2:10am PDT

Pudsey II is a world agility champion who previously won a Crufts round, reports DailyMail.com; she will now aim to "emulate" Pudsey I in order to "bring joy to" the act's many fans.

Jonathan Shalit, who is their agent, told The Sun that the canine star's passing had "saddened us all". However, he added that "we're pleased to say that like Lassie and James Bond, Sully will now emulate Pudsey to entertain and bring joy to as many families as Pudsey was able to do".

Ashleigh and her second pooch are already lined up to appear in Jack And The Beanstalk this Christmas at the High Wycombe Swan Theatre in Buckinghamshire.

A post shared by ashleigh butler (@ashleighbutler7) on Feb 22, 2017 at 8:09am PST

Pudsey I was a Border Collie, Bichon Frise, and Chinese Crested cross and was aged 11 when he died. He found fame as a contestant on the sixth series of BGT, winning the reality TV show contest with his owner in May 2012. They were the first ever dog trick act to win the competition. On Friday, the now 22-year-old Ashleigh took to Instagram to share the sad news of his passing.

She wrote: "I can't honestly believe I am writing these words. My handsome man has gone, and I don't know what to do without him.

"My heart is broken, and I don't know how I'm going to get through this. It hurts so much, that my handsome, incredible Pudsey Bear will never be by my side, where he belongs, again."

Pudsey was suffering from acute leukaemia and was with Ashleigh as he passed.