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Wellard
EastEnders character
Kyte as Wellard in 2008
Portrayed by
  • Zenna (1994–1998)
  • Chancer (1998–2001)
  • Kyte (2001–2008)
Duration1994–2008
First appearanceEpisode 1041
18 October 1994 (1994-10-18)
Last appearanceEpisode 3630
15 August 2008 (2008-08-15)
ClassificationFormer; recurring
SpeciesDog
BreedBelgian Tervuren

Zenna as Wellard in 1994
In-universe information
Owners

Wellard (/wɛˈlɑːrd/) is a Belgian Tervuren dog from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. His character first appeared in the series on 18 October 1994, and became EastEnders' longest-serving pet, before being killed off on 15 August 2008. Although the character is male, he has been played primarily by three female dogs: Zenna, her daughter Chancer, and her granddaughter Kyte. A fourth dog briefly served as a replacement for Zenna in 1996, when she was given time off from the show to have a litter of puppies.

Wellard was briefly written out of the series under executive producer Matthew Robinson, but returned when Robinson was succeeded by John Yorke. Wellard's owners for the majority of his duration in the soap were Robbie Jackson and Gus Smith. He was voted "Best Pet" at the 2008 Digital Spy Soap Awards, and named the UK's favourite soap opera pet in a 2009 Inside Soap poll. Wellard was a fan favourite, and although a storyline that saw him threatened with euthanasia for biting local café owner Ian Beale was poorly received by critics, his death drew generally favourable reviews.

Development

[edit]

Wellard's name is a portmanteau of "well hard", meaning "very tough".[1] The character was originally played by a Belgian Shepherd (Tervuren) named Zenna, who was cast at the age of one. Producers had envisioned Wellard as a "rough, tough mongrel", and Zenna's owner, dog-handler Gill Raddings, explained: "She had the look they wanted and the ability to do what was needed on command."[2] EastEnders' producers were initially unaware that Zenna was female,[3] and had to find a canine double to serve as temporary replacement in 1996 when it transpired that she was pregnant,[4] going on to deliver 10 puppies.[5] Zenna was retired in 1998, as she was "losing her looks".[6]

Zenna was replaced in the soap by her daughter Chancer,[7] who was in turn succeeded by her own daughter, Kyte. Kyte played Wellard for seven years, longer than Zenna and Chancer.[8] The dog, whose pedigree name is Minka Independance Kyte, came to the soap from Raddings' company Stunt Dogs, along with another EastEnders dog, Terence. She had previous experience in the television and film industry, having appeared on A Touch of Frost, The Jonny Vaughan Show, 102 Dalmatians and Gladiator.[9] Raddings revealed that Kyte came to understand the words "action" and "cut", meaning the director would sometimes have to give an alternate cue such as "go" during scenes featuring Wellard, as the dog would become instantly alert upon hearing the usual commands, which appeared incongruous in scenes which called for Wellard to be relaxed.[8] Kyte worked closely with Mohammed George, who played Wellard's owner Gus. George was afraid of dogs as a child, but after working with Kyte for three years, commented that they were so close he "sometimes [felt] like [her] dad."[10]

Wellard was briefly written out of the show under executive producer Matthew Robinson, but returned in 2000, when Robinson was succeeded by John Yorke. A show insider commented: "Wellard just disappeared. It seemed odd because Robbie loved that dog and never noticed it had gone." An EastEnders spokesman stated of his return: "John Yorke believes Wellard should be an integral part of Robbie's character."[11]

When a 2005 storyline saw Wellard threatened with euthanasia for biting local café owner Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), James Desborough of The People suggested that EastEnders producers were hoping to emulate the success of a storyline from rival soap opera Coronation Street, which saw fans protest the arrest of character Deirdre Rachid (Anne Kirkbride), going as far as to lobby the UK Parliament for her release. Desborough deemed the storyline "bizarre" and accused the BBC of being "desperate to boost flagging ratings". An EastEnders spokesman responded that it was simply "a funny story which we hope the nation will get behind."[12]

In June 2008, it was reported that Wellard was to be killed off.[1] A show insider explained: "Wellard has been a much-loved character and everyone will be sad to see him go. But if you think about it, Wellard was not a puppy when he arrived on Albert Square, so he would be over 100 in dog years by now. It makes sense for him to bow out of the show gracefully."[13] Raddings commented: "I used to take Kyte on set everyday but I found the scenes when Wellard was put down too hard to watch so I asked someone else to take her to filming."[7] At the time of his death, Wellard had been in EastEnders for 14 years, making him one of the show's longest-running characters,[14] and its longest-serving pet.[15]

Storylines

[edit]

In October 1994, Walford resident Robbie Jackson (Dean Gaffney) takes in a dog he assumes to be a stray, naming him Wellard. The dog's owner, Mr Hammond, locates him and demands him back, but Wellard later returns to Albert Square of his own accord. Robbie realises he has been mistreated and has run away. Mr Hammond admits to neglecting Wellard, and allows Robbie to keep him. Wellard fathers puppies with Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Nigel Bates's (Paul Bradley) greyhound, Frieda; however, the puppies are stillborn. When Robbie begins a relationship with a woman allergic to dogs, she gives him the ultimatum of choosing between her and Wellard: Robbie chooses Wellard. Several years later, when Robbie is due to leave Walford to live in India, Wellard is run over, delaying Robbie's departure. He is cared for by Robbie's sister Sonia (Natalie Cassidy), who gives him to her friend Gus (Mohammed George) after Robbie's departure. When Gus is involved in a minibus crash, Wellard is able to save his owner by leading him to a spot from where he can call the emergency services.

Wellard is reported to the police when he bites local café owner Ian Beale on the buttocks. He is taken away, with the possibility that he will be euthanised, but Gus and Deano Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) launch a campaign to save him, under the moniker "Walford One Owed Freedom" (WOOF). When Wellard is put on trial, Ian's partner Jane (Laurie Brett) presents character witness statements for the dog, written by Ian's children, Lucy (Melissa Suffield) and Peter (Thomas Law). Wellard is found guilty, but as a result of the statements, Gus is allowed to take him home as long as he keeps him on a lead at all times. When Gus leaves Walford to travel with his girlfriend Keisha (Suzie McGrath), he leaves Wellard with his friend Mickey Miller (Joe Swash). Mickey sells Wellard to Vinnie Monks (Bobby Davro), who intends to give him to his girlfriend Shirley Carter (Linda Henry). When it transpires Shirley does not want him, Vinnie gives Wellard to the Jackson family. Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) feeds Wellard a chocolate, causing him to suffer from theobromine poisoning. He has to be euthanised, is cremated, and has his ashes scattered on the local allotment.[13][16]

Reception

[edit]

Wellard was voted "Best Pet" at the 2008 Digital Spy Soap Awards.[17] His death storyline was nominated in the "Tearjerker" category at the 2008 All About Soap Bubble Awards.[18] In 2009, a poll by magazine Inside Soap named Wellard as the UK's favourite soap opera pet.[19] He came second in a poll to find Britain's favourite TV pet in April 2006, losing to Lassie[20] and in March 2008 was named the fifth best dog on television by Anna Pickard of The Guardian, behind Bouncer from Neighbours, Willy from EastEnders, Lassie and Dogtanian.[21] It was noted in The People in July 1997 that Wellard was "a firm favourite with the soap's fans".[4] The dogs received fanmail from viewers hailing them as the best actors on EastEnders.[8]

Mohammed George played Wellard's owner Gus Smith. The storyline which saw Gus campaign to free Wellard when he was detained under the Dangerous Dogs Act was poorly received by critics.

Zenna, Chancer and Kyte were occasional targets of professional jealousy from their human co-stars, and some television critics have suggested that Wellard was a better character than his owner, Robbie. When Michael Greco commented in 2002 that Wellard received better scripts than his character, Beppe di Marco, the Sunday Mirror's Ian Hyland wrote: "He should try being Robbie Jackson. Wellard gets better scripts and better girls than him."[22] Similarly, Garry Bushell of The People compared EastEnders with rival soap Coronation Street following a 2003 scheduling clash, observing: "ITV had Richard Hillman's heavyweight murder confession. BBC1 gave us Robbie Jackson's heart-to-heart with Wellard. (Don't scoff – it's tough to play moving scenes with a dumb and soppy creature, but Wellard rose to the occasion.)".[23] Derek McGovern of The Mirror criticised Gaffney's acting ability, observing: "Outside of Lassie movies I haven't seen a dog consistently steal scenes off a human the way Wellard used to pinch them from Dean."[24] Gemma Bissix appeared in the show as a child actor from 1993 to 1998, playing Clare Bates. She commented on her return in 2008 that as a child, the dogs playing Wellard were better paid than she was.[25] When Emma Barton, who played Honey Mitchell, was axed from the soap later that year, she spoke of her dismay that Wellard's death was being marketed as a bigger storyline than her character's exit.[26] Roz Laws of the Sunday Mercury called it "particularly galling" that Barton's exit was upstaged by Wellard's death.[27]

In January 2003, an Inside Soap reporter noted a "new phenomenon" of soap pets going missing without any explanation. They described numerous pets being absent for lengthy periods of time.[28] They added that "most importantly" was the absence of Robbie's "beloved pal" Wellard. They added their disappointment that Gaffney was being written out of EastEnders and hoped for "one last emotional appearance" from the dog.[28]

Hyland was critical of the 2003 storyline which saw Robbie leave EastEnders to move to Mumbai with his girlfriend Nita (Bindya Solanki) and her son Anish (Ali Zahoor). He explained that the aspect of the storyline which upset him most was Wellard being run over "so the scriptwriters could engineer the inevitable last-minute dash to the airport", questioning: "What's Wellard ever done to deserve that?"[29] The storyline which saw Wellard threatened with euthanasia after biting Ian Beale received negative reviews from critics, deemed "bizarre" by James Desborough of The People,[12] and the "longest, most tedious ever soap storyline" by Jim Shelley of The Mirror.[30] Bushell simply wrote: "Wellard bit Ian Beale. Which one needs the Tetanus jab?"[31] Tim Teeman of The Times called it the "daftest" storyline of the year, comparing it to a similarly ill-received and long-running storyline given to the unpopular Ferreira family.[32]

Wellard's death drew generally favourable reviews from critics. The Guardian's Nancy Banks-Smith deemed Wellard to have "died with great dignity [...] Not, as a lesser dog might, making a meal of it."[33] Grace Dent, also of The Guardian, wrote that she was an "emotional mess" when Wellard was euthanised, calling him "one of the true old guard of EastEnders".[34] Andy Bollen of the Sunday Mail deemed it a shame Wellard had been killed off, calling him "the most convincing actor on the soap",[35] while The Mirror's Maeve Quigley called Wellard's death sadder than that of human character Jase Dyer (Stephen Lord) shortly afterwards.[36] Wise similarly opined that Wellard upstaged most of the cast, and that his death was more of a "tear-jerker" than the return of Jim Branning (John Bardon) who had been absent after suffering from a stroke.[37] The Mirror's Kevin O'Sullivan commented: "a canine Oscar to the hound who played Wellard – the pedigree chum whose sad demise after 14 years of fouling Walford's pavements was genuinely moving."[38] Shelley wrote that it signified the "[d]eath of the best actor in the show",[39] and the South Wales Echo published the obituary:

Farewell, brave Wellard. Trusted friend; solid companion. Guardian of Jacksons and wee-er on settee cushions. Off you smelled – and gentle – into that Dark Night. Did you like that epitaph, you latest occupant of the Great Lane of Burst Black Bin Liners in the Sky, you? Fourteen years of playing canine clown, eh? I bet that bought a shed-load of Bonios. Anyway, sorry to see you go old thing. Let's hope your benign spirit will soon be visited upon that Bianca, though. Loved you, she did... but so loudly does she mourn. Tell her that great old age and the Grim Reaper mean nothing personal.

— South Wales Echo[40]

In contrast, however, Laws felt that EastEnders was becoming too depressing, noting that Wellard's death came at the same time Jase was murdered and Honey and her husband Billy (Perry Fenwick) broke up, writing: "I feel like slitting my wrists when I tune in now. [...] There's only so much gritty realism we can take in our soaps, and EastEnders is really overloading us at the moment."[41] In 2013, Digital Spy's Naomi Gordon opined that Wellard's death was one of the eight "saddest fictional dog deaths", saying "There wasn't a dry eye in the house."[42]

[edit]

Wellard is considered a "celebrity" dog, and during his EastEnders tenure, the dogs playing him would occasionally make personal appearances at events, including the dog-show Crufts in 1998,[43] a fundraising appeal for the Victoria Animal Hospital in London in 2000,[44] and the first All About Dogs Day at Notcutts garden centre in August 2008.[45] Satirical impression series Dead Ringers referenced Wellard in a 2004 episode, running the continuity announcement: "Later on ITV1, new drama featuring the latest EastEnders star we've signed up for a ridiculous advance. Yes Wellard the dog is Barker, a cop on the edge with a drink problem and distemper."[46] For Red Nose Day 2007, Aardman Animations created a Creature Comforts-style short featuring Wellard asking for money for Comic Relief, along with selling his offspring and being put in prison.[47]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Wellard

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Wellard is a fictional Belgian Tervuren dog character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, introduced on 18 October 1994 as a stray adopted by resident Robbie Jackson.
The role was played by four dogs over the character's 14-year tenure, with Zenna portraying the initial incarnation, followed by her daughter Chancer, granddaughter Kyte, and a brief stint by another unnamed dog.
Wellard became EastEnders' longest-serving pet, endearing himself to viewers through comedic storylines involving mishaps like eating chocolate—leading to his on-screen death in 2008—and his loyal companionship amid the Jackson family's domestic dramas.
Notably, the dog Kyte, who assumed the role from 2000 onward, also appeared as Maximus's loyal companion in the 2000 film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, showcasing her versatility in high-profile productions.
The character's demise mirrored real-life events, as Kyte passed away shortly after filming the final scenes, prompting tributes from cast and fans for her contributions to the series' cultural impact.

Development and Portrayal

Creation and Introduction


Wellard, a recurring canine character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, debuted on 18 October 1994 as a stray Belgian Shepherd dog discovered by Robbie Jackson, portrayed by Dean Gaffney. The initial portrayal was by Zenna, a one-year-old Belgian Shepherd selected for the role, who appeared in early storylines involving the dog's adoption into the Jackson family. Robbie and his associate Kevin Wicks found the hungry and abandoned animal, leading Robbie to name him Wellard and bring him home to the Walford square. The character's introduction stemmed from a plotline where Robbie assumed the dog was stray, but the original owner, Mr. Hammond, later emerged to reclaim him. Robbie refused to return Wellard after learning the dog had endured mistreatment under Hammond's care, solidifying the adoption and integrating Wellard into the Jackson household as a source of familial companionship and occasional comic relief. This event marked Wellard's establishment as the longest-serving pet in EastEnders history, spanning over a decade before his on-screen death in 2008.

Dogs Portraying the Character

The character Wellard, a Belgian Tervuren dog, was portrayed by four female dogs over its 14-year tenure from 18 October 1994 to 15 August 2008, despite being depicted as male. The original performer was Zenna, a Belgian Shepherd introduced in 1994, who handled early storylines including Wellard's adoption by Robbie Jackson after mistreatment by a previous owner. Zenna was succeeded by her daughter Chancer, who continued the role through subsequent years, maintaining continuity in the character's appearance and behavior on the show. The lineage extended to Chancer's daughter Kyte, the third primary dog, who took over later in the run and became the most recognized for the character's later episodes. A fourth dog filled in briefly, though details on its specific episodes remain less documented. Kyte notably appeared in other productions, including the role of Maximus' pet wolfhound in the 2000 film Gladiator and as a police dog in an episode of the ITV series . She passed away on 15 August 2008, the same day the episode depicting Wellard's on-screen death from cancer aired, marking the end of the character's portrayal.

Behind-the-Scenes Production

The dogs portraying Wellard were provided by Stunt Dogs, a company specializing in trained animals for film and television, founded in 1984 by handler Gill Raddings. Producers initially sought a "rough, tough " for the role but selected the Belgian Zenna after reviewing photographs of three candidates and conducting a trial, citing her suitable appearance and temperament. Raddings, with over a decade of experience in for screen at the time of Zenna's casting in 1994, began conditioning the puppy early using command association techniques to perform actions such as sitting, standing, begging, walking on hind legs, crawling, rolling over, and walking backwards. To achieve Wellard's scruffy on-screen look, production applied and spray dye to the otherwise well-groomed Zenna during filming. One improvised moment involved Zenna spontaneously jumping onto Dean Gaffney's lap, which became a repeatable scripted behavior thereafter. Successor dogs—Zenna's daughter and granddaughter Kyte—were also supplied by Raddings' Stunt Dogs, maintaining breed and familial consistency across Wellard's 14-year tenure from 1994 to 2008, with the company additionally handling other animals like the dog and Zoe Slater's cat Baby. Filming adhered to standard practices for animal s, including short takes and on-set handler presence to ensure responsiveness and welfare, though specific episode logs or veterinary records are not publicly detailed. No documented production controversies arose regarding Wellard's handling, unlike some broader industry concerns over animal use in soaps; Raddings emphasized professional conditioning from puppyhood to minimize stress and maximize reliability on demanding schedules. The use of female dogs for the male character reflected practical casting priorities, prioritizing trainability over gender matching.

Fictional Biography

Early Storylines (1994–2000)

Wellard first appeared in on 18 October 1994, when teenager and his friend Kevin discovered an abandoned and hungry in , which Robbie adopted and named Wellard. Believing the dog to be a stray, Robbie took responsibility for its care, but the original owner, Mr. Hammond, soon tracked Wellard down. Hammond ultimately surrendered ownership after Robbie highlighted the dog's prior mistreatment, allowing Wellard to stay with the Jackson family. The dog's arrival immediately intertwined with Robbie's personal troubles, as the time spent rescuing and tending to the hungry animal caused him and to arrive late for , exacerbating Robbie's disciplinary issues and contributing to his expulsion. Throughout the mid-to-late , Wellard served primarily as Robbie's loyal companion amid the Jackson family's domestic dynamics and Robbie's adolescent escapades, occasionally influencing his social interactions in ways that boosted his appeal with peers. A notable plot development occurred when Wellard mated with Frieda, the owned by Grant Mitchell and , resulting in a that ended tragically with the of the puppies. This storyline underscored Wellard's integration into Walford's community beyond the Jacksons, though it highlighted the pet's limited direct involvement in major human conflicts during this period. Wellard continued as a background family member into 2000, embodying and everyday loyalty without further prominent arcs until later years.

Later Storylines (2001–2008)

In 2003, as prepared to emigrate to with his partner Nita Mistry, he arranged for Wellard to be cared for by his friend upon departure. Wellard remained a resident of the Jackson household and surrounding community thereafter. On 15 November 2005, Wellard bit café owner on the buttocks after Beale kicked at the dog during an altercation outside his establishment. The incident prompted Beale to report Wellard to , resulting in the dog's and a threatening due to perceived danger. A local petition drive and character testimonies led to Wellard's and release without penalty on 12 January 2006. Wellard's tenure concluded tragically in August 2008. , temporarily minding the dog amid family stresses, fed him —a substance toxic to canines due to its content—unaware of the risk. Wellard suffered acute symptoms, including and seizures, necessitating veterinary care. A post-mortem confirmed the chocolate wrapper ingestion, and with recovery deemed impossible, the Jackson family opted for on 15 August 2008 to end his suffering.

Reception and Controversies

Viewer and Critical Reception

Wellard proved highly popular with EastEnders viewers, who regarded the character as a beloved fixture of the Slater-Jackson family dynamics and Albert Square life. The original dog portraying Wellard received sacks of , surpassing that of some human cast members, according to Jake Wood, who noted the volume highlighted the canine's appeal during his tenure on the soap. Fans frequently praised Wellard as the show's standout "actor," with letters emphasizing the dog's expressive presence amid human drama. Viewer affection was formalized through awards, as Wellard won "Best Pet" at the 2008 Digital Spy Soap Awards, voted by readers of the site, underscoring its status as a favorite non-human character ahead of competitors like Genghis from the same series. Emotional storylines amplified this bond; the 2008 of the original Wellard due to illness elicited widespread , while the 2017 off-screen death of Wellard II—revealed during Robbie Jackson's return—left audiences "heartbroken" and criticizing Robbie's pet care as neglectful. Such reactions affirmed Wellard's role in generating viewer investment, often outshining associated human arcs. Critics similarly lauded Wellard's integration into narratives, with The Guardian's Nancy Banks-Smith commending the 2008 death episode for its restraint, stating the dog "died with great dignity [...] Not, as a lesser dog might, making a meal of it." However, some reviewers contrasted Wellard's appeal favorably against owner , with recalling pointed criticism that "Wellard was a better than me," reflecting perceptions of the dog's superior screen charisma. This sentiment extended to character evaluations, where commentators implied Wellard's uncomplicated loyalty rendered it more engaging than Robbie's often maligned storylines, though no formal critical consensus diminished the dog's overall positive portrayal.

Controversies Over Departure and Animal Welfare

In 2005, Wellard bit café owner , leading to a storyline where the dog faced potential , prompting a fan-led campaign named (Walford One Owed Freedom) that successfully advocated for the character's survival. This incident highlighted Wellard's status as a fan favorite, with viewers opposing the proposed outcome despite the narrative justification. The character's definitive departure occurred in an August 2008 episode, where fed Wellard , resulting in that necessitated by a veterinarian. Played at the time by the dog Kyte, a Belgian , the storyline concluded 14 years of the character's presence since , eliciting widespread fan disappointment over the abrupt and tragic end to a beloved pet figure. Regarding , three generations of Belgian dogs portrayed Wellard across its run: Zenna from 1994 to 1998, replaced due to an unexpected pregnancy and aging; her daughter Chancer from 1998 to 2001, phased out amid reduced screen time; and Chancer's daughter Kyte from 2001 to 2008. No verified reports indicate mistreatment or undue stress on these animals during production, though the succession reflected natural life stages rather than welfare violations. The storyline itself drew indirect scrutiny for depicting animal death, but focused primarily on dramatic effect without evidence of real harm to the performing dogs.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The dogs portraying Wellard achieved celebrity status during the character's tenure, making public appearances at events such as charity functions and fan meet-and-greets throughout the 1990s and 2000s, reflecting the character's appeal as a beloved soap opera pet. One such dog, Kyte, who played Wellard from 2000 onward, secured a role in Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000), appearing in the opening scene alongside Russell Crowe as the loyal companion to the character Maximus, leveraging the animal's established familiarity from EastEnders. Wellard featured in comedic media references, including a 2004 Dead Ringers sketch on , where the satirical impression series parodied ITV continuity announcements with a fictional drama centered on "Wellard the dog is Barker, a cop on the edge with a drink problem and distemper." In 2007, for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day, produced a Creature Comforts-style animated short depicting Wellard wandering locations like Albert Square and the Queen Vic to solicit donations, highlighting the character's recognizability in British charity entertainment. The character's enduring popularity as EastEnders' longest-serving pet, spanning 14 years from 1994 to 2008, positioned Wellard as an of the loyal, comic-relief animal companion in operas, with fan tributes upon the in-story of the original Wellard in 2006 and real-life passings of portraying dogs eliciting widespread media coverage and public mourning.

Real-Life Trivia and Connections

The character Wellard was portrayed by four female dogs over its 14-year run, despite being depicted as male. The original dog, Zenna, debuted in and featured in early storylines, including a 1996 that necessitated a brief replacement by another dog before , Zenna's daughter, assumed the role. was succeeded by her daughter Kyte, who handled most of the later appearances until the character's departure in 2008. Kyte, whose full pedigree name was Independence Kyte, hailed from a stunt dog agency and outlived her predecessors but died in 2008, coinciding with Wellard's on-screen . Kyte notably extended her acting career beyond EastEnders, appearing as a police dog in the British crime series A Touch of Frost, where she was trained to detect illegal drugs and portrayed a life-saving role for the lead detective. Additionally, Kyte featured in the 2000 Hollywood film Gladiator as the loyal companion wolf-dog to the protagonist Maximus Decimus Meridius, played by Russell Crowe, marking a significant crossover from British television to international cinema. This role highlighted the dog's versatility in high-profile productions, contrasting with Wellard's domestic soap opera antics. No major animal welfare issues were reported during filming, though the successive use of related dogs emphasized continuity in training and appearance.

References

  1. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/22066267/legendary-eastenders-dog-wellard/
  2. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/bbc-eastenders-dog-wellard-also-26718959
  3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/entertainment/newsid_7542000/7542361.stm
  4. https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a786136/the-tragic-tale-of-the-multiple-wellards-how-three-generations-of-eastenders-dog-failed-to-outlive-dean-gaffney/
  5. https://eastenders.fandom.com/wiki/Wellard
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysKWHLkI4gk
  7. https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/inside-tragic-tale-tail-eastenders-17027293
  8. https://takeabreak.co.uk/magazine/tab-pets/from-wellard-to-willy-the-best-soap-opera-pets/
  9. https://stuntdogs.net/
  10. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/6641223.alive-wellard---east-enders-mutt-one-many-trained-expert-jill/
  11. https://stuntdogs.net/credits/
  12. https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/dogs-on-tv-poldark-kingsman-sonny/
  13. https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMidsomer/videos/gill-raddings-caring-for-animals-on-set/514802753483401/
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWbDY_c7zDk
  15. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni58961708/
  16. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/free-wellard-1611659
  17. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7475039.stm
  18. https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/how-eastenders-wellard-landed-role-19856077
  19. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4670752/Eastenders-heartbreak-death-Wellard-II-revealed.html
  20. https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/12/eastenders-jake-wood-reveals-who-got-most-fan-mail-and-theyre-not-human-17354777/
  21. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/19731566/eastenders-jake-wood-soaps-return/
  22. https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a92054/digital-spy-soap-awards-2008-the-winners/
  23. https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2017/0705/887897-eastenders-fans-upset-as-wellard-the-dog-has-died/
  24. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/aug/16/13
  25. https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/dean-gaffney-says-eastenders-return-5960207
  26. https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/so-long-wellard-eastenders-bids-sad-farewell-to-albert-squares-beloved-pooch-6844586.html
  27. https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/inside-tragic-tale-tail-eastenders-17033874
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