Vicky Pattison, newly married and hoping to start a family, has revealed that her husband, Ercan Ramadan, sleeps in a separate room because of their two Labradors, Max and Milo. Pattison shares her marital bed with the dogs, a situation her husband says allows him to get a "decent, undisturbed night’s sleep."
"I lie there contorted around the dogs like a human pretzel with Max spread out at the bottom of the bed and Milo with his head on the pillow. I love it!" Pattison stated.
Viewers will see Pattison and her dogs on "Wagging Rights," a new six-part reality series where celebrities train their dogs. Pattison's five-year-old rescued Labrador, Milo, who was found smuggled into the UK from Eastern Europe, will be featured alongside comedian Sara Pascoe and her dog Mouse, Kae Kurd and his Rottweiler Riot, Harriet Kemsley and her Cavapoo Sunny, and Rhod Gilbert with his Labradoodle Picsen. Dog behaviorist Nigel Reed and trainer Kay Attwood guide the celebrity participants through various challenges, including agility, obedience, and scent work, with a "Top Dog" awarded weekly and a grand finale winner.
Pattison's three-year-old black Labrador, Max, recently underwent emergency surgery after developing a stomach blockage from eating grass wrapped around a dog treat. The incident required extensive treatment, including blood transfusions, and resulted in a bill of £25,000. "We thought he was going to die and it was the worst two weeks of my life, but Max miraculously pulled through," Pattison said.
Other "Wagging Rights" contestants have also found solace in their pets. Rhod Gilbert, 57, who battled stage four neck and head cancer, welcomed his Labradoodle Picsen into his life at his wife's suggestion for "joy." Harriet Kemsley, a star of "Last One Laughing," has relied on her five-year-old Cavapoo, Sunny, for support following the breakdown of her marriage. Kemsley described Sunny as her "second husband" and admitted to spooning with him in bed, stating, "I’m not sure I would have got through the last couple of years without him."
Despite the emotional bonds with their pets, the competition on "Wagging Rights" became intense. Pattison noted that some contestants, like Gilbert and Pascoe, took the training very seriously. Kemsley agreed, adding, "The show became very competitive. We saw the bad side of some of those competing. And the needle between us ramps up as the series goes on."
Pattison mentioned that her own dogs, particularly Milo, made limited progress in training due to her "lavish" affection. "If I didn’t throw the ball for him he’d go and wee on the camera in protest. As you can imagine, this didn’t go down well with the judges," she recalled.
"Wagging Rights" premiered on Sunday at 8 p.m. on U&Dave and U&W.