Pete Wicks struggled to hold back tears during his new show For Dogs’ Sake on Tuesday evening as a rescue dog was diagnosed with cancer in emotional scenes.

The Strictly star, 37, broke down as the diagnosis brought back ‘painful memories’ of his family facing testicular cancer, and from when he ‘ignored a lump for three months’ due to being ‘petrified of the diagnosis’.

In the U series, a vet broke the sad news to the podcast star that a beloved pug named Murphy has had tests and been diagnosed with cancer.

She said: ‘We did take some samples of his masses and we have the results, the big one on his back was a cyst and nothing to worry about.

‘But unfortunately the one at the base of the penis, that has come back as cancerous. There are things such as chemotherapy but that has nasty side effects and for a dog of his age it’s not in his best interest. He’s not in pain though.’

Taking a moment outside, Pete held back his tears and said: ‘Of all things, cancer is a bit close to home for me wherever it be humans or dogs its a horrendous thing.

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Pete Wicks held back tears during his new show For Dogs’ Sake on Tuesday evening as a rescue dog was diagnosed with cancer in emotional scenes

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The Strictly star, 37, broke down as the diagnosis brought back ‘painful memories’ of his family facing testicular cancer, and from when he ‘ignored a lump for three months’ due to being ‘petrified of the diagnosis’

‘That has upset me quite a lot if I’m being honest.

‘His diagnosis has brought up some painful memories of testicular cancer in my family and also the scare I had when I ignored a lump for three months because I was so petrified of the diagnosis.’

Speaking with a friend at the Dog Trust shelter while visiting Murphy, Pete said: ‘It was a bit of sore one for me, I took it quite badly. The only saving grace is that he doesn’t know he has cancer which is lovely that he is living his best life.’

Fans took to social media to say they were in ‘tears’ watching the emotional scenes and have asked if there will be a second series as they commended Pete for his incredible work with the dogs at the shelter.

‘So beautiful I really hope there is another series; Great programme you made me laugh and cry; Fabulous Pete Wicks. So caring and lovely interactions with staff. (And dogs);

‘This should be the start of a regular series it was amazing and Pete really loves dogs bringing it alive for viewers ‘;

‘Watching @P_Wicks01 on U&W. Pete Wicks Loves Dogs. Absolutely gorgeous program.

‘Just watching the new programme with Pete wicks for dog sake it’s good;

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In the U series, a vet broke the sad news to the podcast star that a beloved pug named Murphy has had tests and been diagnosed with cancer

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Taking a moment outside, Pete held back his tears and said: ‘Of all things, cancer is a bit close to home for me wherever it be humans or dogs its a horrendous thing. That has upset me quite a lot if I’m being honest’

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He continued: ‘His diagnosis has brought up some painful memories of testicular cancer in my family and also the scare I had when I ignored a lump for three months because I was so petrified of the diagnosis’

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Fans took to social media to say they were in ‘tears’ watching the emotional scenes and have asked if there will be a second series as they commended Pete for his incredible work with the dogs

‘Binged #ForDogsSake and LOVED it. Haven’t loved a show like this since Paul O Grady passed away. Someone needs to commission more of this show WITH Pete Wicks. You can just tell when someone loves dogs’.

Pete appeared on The One Show earlier on Tuesday night to promote the series and explained it took him ‘six years’ to get the show commissioned.

He told BBC viewers: ‘Dogs have always been a massive part of my life and I prefer dogs to people because they make me feel safe and happy. Dogs don’t want anything from you other than love and trust which is a beautiful thing.

‘I’ve been trying to get this show off the ground for six years now, so to finally be able to do that was just incredible.

‘The most important part about re-homing a dog, it’s like match making its making sure they get a forever home. There is a lot that goes behind it, the medical stuff, some of the dogs have been badly neglected and vulnerable and the behaviour side of things there is an awful lot of work that goes into it.’

Discussing the highs and lows of filming, Pete added: ‘You obviously have to see a lot of neglect cases and dogs being abused, it is that rescue world and giving animals that second chance of life.

‘The important thing for me with doing the show is highlighting the dogs journey and giving them a bit of love can make them be a different dog and they can go on to enjoy their lives.’

Pete has previously opened up about his cancer scare as he admitted he ignored a ‘big lump’ he found on his testicle for three months because he ‘didn’t want to know’.

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Pete appeared on The One Show earlier on Tuesday night to promote the series and explained it took him ‘six years’ to get the show commissioned

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The podcast star – whose uncle suffered from testicular cancer – previously opened up about his cancer scare and blamed ‘ego’ and ‘pride’ for not getting checked out sooner

The podcast star – whose uncle suffered from testicular cancer – blamed ‘ego’ and ‘pride’ for not getting it checked sooner.

He told how he started becoming ‘self-conscious’ of the lump and decided to finally go to the doctors amid fears it might be cancerous.

Pete has since taking part on The Real Full Monty, speaking on the show in 2023 he explained: ‘I recently had a scare where I found quite a big lump on my b**lock.

‘I didn’t go and get it checked out for a long time when I found something because I didn’t want to know, to be honest with you.’

The TV star said he panicked after getting inconclusive test results back and had an agonising three-week wait to find out if the lump was cancerous or not.

‘I was fearful, when you find a lump, especially down there, you think “Oh s**t”. You don’t want anything to be wrong with your wedding tackle,’ he went on.

‘I kept it to myself and didn’t even tell Mum, blokes always want to be OK and never a burden – it’s ego pride and not a good thing to do.’

Pete said he felt ‘blessed’ upon learning that the lump was not cancerous and that he was able to have it drained, admitting it could have been ‘devastating’.