ACTRESS and comedian Diane Morgan has adopted a dog from a Radcliffe-based rehoming centre.

The Afterlife and Motherland star recently visited the Blue Cross charity in Blackburn Street and could not resist taking home their black toy poodle Bobby.

The seven-year-old pooch first came to the centre because his owner could not longer keep him. But he has been enjoying his new celebrity lifestyle which is seeing him visit show sets and recording studios with his new owner.

Bobby has been attending several after parties with Diane, and even had the chance to meet Afterlife co-star Ricky Gervais.

Diane, who is originally from Bolton but now living in London, said: "I had seen Bobby on the Blue Cross website and from the minute I met Bobby at the centre I knew he was the one for me. It was love at first sight."

The 44-year-old is now looking for Bobby's perfect match with Blue Cross, and has urged others to follow suit and give a loving home to other pets in the charity's care, or to give financially to support their work.

“Bobby has brought so much joy to my life and it makes me so sad to think of the pets who won’t have a special someone to share loving moments with this Christmas", Diane said.

“The team at Blue Cross really does help so many needy animals at Christmas and throughout the year so please donate to help them help even more pets like my lovely Bobby."

Diane, who grew up in Farnworth and Kearsley, is also the voice behind the charity's 2019 Christmas 'Give a Moment' campaign.

The actress has recorded a light-hearted radio and video on demand advert for Blue Cross which calls on people to avoid buying mismatched gifts that will end up gathering dust in a cupboard and instead to give the gift of a moment that matters to a pet in care.

Last year Blue Cross helped just under 10,000 pets in its rehoming centres and more than 31,000 pets at its animal hospitals. The charity also provides a pet bereavement support service through a phone line and email service which is manned 365 days a year.

Kelly Grellier, Director of Rehoming at Blue Cross, said: “Sadly we have many pets who will be in our rehoming centres and hospitals this Christmas, many without a family to call their own.

“We try to make it as festive and special time as possible, giving out lots of fuss along with gifts, a special dinner and treats to all the pets. We really appreciate any donations big or small that will help us to give pets in need moments that matter this Christmas.”