When I joined Blue Peter it gave me great confidence to work with her

Anthea Turner

She was one of the second litter of pups born to her predecessor Goldie, who was owned by former presenter Simon Groom.

Bonnie has been living her days out in Surrey, looked after by Leonie Pocock, who also keeps her replacement Lucy.

Bonnie shared the BBC set with a host presenters including Anthea Turner and Tim Vincent.

Agility

Turner said: "I am very sad to hear the news.

"I have some very fond memories of Bonnie.

"When I joined Blue Peter it gave me great confidence to work with her.

"I still have the cut glass bowl we won for dog agility at Olympia and would not part with it for the world."

A spokeswoman for the show said Bonnie had died peacefully at the vet's surgery.

Simon Groom added: "Bonnie, like Goldie her mother, was very much the nation's dog and she will be dearly missed.

"Both dogs had the perfect temperament for children's television, gentle, unflappable, worked very hard and brought pleasure to millions."

A special Blue Peter tribute will be aired on BBC One on 25 April at 1700 (BST).