Greg James is looking ahead to a quieter spell after enduring what he described as a gruelling twelve months of personal hardship.
The 40-year-old presenter and his wife, author Bella Mackie, 43, embarked on what they called a “grief trip” following the loss of their chocolate Labrador Barney, who had to be put down earlier this month.
The couple’s cross-country journey took them through Lancashire and onwards to the Lake District, as they sought to come to terms with Barney’s death alongside the ongoing health struggles of James’s father, Alan Milward, who suffered a stroke and underwent heart operations this year.
Sharing photographs from their road trip on social media, Mr James joked: “Drove 1000 miles around the UK in a Renault Espace from 1999 and listened to the Phoebe Bridgers’ album 87 times, so yeah, I think I’m dealing with it all just fine, thanks!”
Greg James was left devastated by the death of his beloved chocolate Labrador Barney earlier this month
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FACEBOOK / GREG JAMES
The DJ expressed gratitude to fans for their kindness regarding both Barney and his father’s health battles.
“It’s been in some ways the worst but in many ways the best year,” he wrote, citing highlights such as Comic Relief on his show.
“I just hope things can be a little calmer and less intense for a bit. But I’m healing well! So much fun to come through and I can’t wait to be back on the show tomorrow!”
Among the trip’s highlights was a visit to The Inn at Whitewell in Lancashire, where the pair were informed that the late Queen had celebrated her 80th birthday at the venue.
The couple embarked on what they described as a ‘grief trip’ around the UK
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INSTAGRAM / GREG_JAMES
The couple also tried their hand at paddleboarding, with Mr James remarking that Barney “would’ve been proud” of Ms Mackie’s efforts on the water.
They rounded off their Lake District stay with a swim in Windermere, capping a journey that appeared to offer some much-needed respite from what has been an emotionally taxing period for the broadcaster and his family.
Mr James first adopted Barney from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2019, and the chocolate Labrador quickly amassed a devoted following online as the couple regularly shared updates about his life.
Barney had been treated by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, the veterinary surgeon known as the Supervet, who previously revealed the dog had received numerous treatments for arthritic joints, including surgery for a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament.
The presenter’s father, Alan Milward, suffered a stroke during a scheduled heart procedure in March, before requiring a second cardiac operation in June.
Mr James said at the time that his father faced “a long road to recovery.”
Fans of the star flooded the comments section with condolences and messages of support.
“Bless you both. So sad about Barney. Grief is real,” one person wrote.
Greg James documented the couple’s ‘grief trip’ around the UK on social media
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INSTAGRAM / GREG_JAMES
Another penned: “Glad you had a beautiful time and had time out together on an amazing trip. You look after yourself. We’ve all missed you on the radio, but you have the right to mourn your beautiful dog. Life does move forward, but we never forget the people we love.”
“So sorry about Barney, Greg. They are so much more than pets; they are one of the family and very much loved,” added a third.
Someone else insisted: “Barney will always be with you both.”
The BBC star and his wife travelled 1,000 miles around Britain during the emotional getaway
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INSTAGRAM / GREG_JAMES
A third said: “Be kind to yourselves. He was so much more than ‘just a dog’. You rescued him, then he rescued you.”
A fourth fan wrote: “Nice to see you taking some time to heal. Some people don’t appreciate how hard it is when you lose your pet, and what an important part of the family they are.”