Pete Wicks has shown his heart of gold once again. The Strictly Come Dancing star and host of For Dogs’ Sake was left devastated after meeting Theo – a 52kg Neapolitan mastiff with a severe heart condition – and is now vowing to pay for the dog’s expensive medication out of his own pocket.

The TV personality, 37, met Theo at Dogs Trust Kenilworth, where the underweight stray had been taken in. Diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia, Theo’s future is heartbreakingly uncertain.

“He could have months, maybe a year,” Pete said emotionally. “But we just don’t know. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m not ashamed to say I cried.”

Despite his own hectic filming schedule, Pete has stepped in to support Theo. “I can’t take him in myself because of work,” he admitted, “but no dog deserves to spend his final days alone. If there’s one who deserves a family, it’s Theo.”

Calling on the public to open their homes to the lovable, “goofy” dog, Pete added, “He’s a big, slobbery angel. He’s soft, clumsy, a bit of a doughnut – but pure love.”

The new season of Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake will continue to shed light on the 100,000 dogs still waiting in UK shelters. Pete hopes this story won’t just melt hearts – but change lives.