A ONE-EYED bulldog who appeared on Emmerdale has died suddenly of a suspected heart-attack.

Five-year-old Cooper – who was addicted to eating toast and crisps – won a competition to appear on the ITV soap last July.

Owner Jemma Teasdale, of Consett, County Durham, set up a Facebook page 'Super Cooper' three years ago and regularly posted about his adventures and experiences.

To her surprise, he gained fans from as far afield as America, Australia and Argentina - and his followers passed the 20,000 mark, boosted by his Emmerdale appearance.

Jemma, who is mother to two-year-old Mollie, said she is "absolutely heartbroken" by his death on Monday.

The 34-year-old said: "I was sitting eating cold pizza on the settee with Mollie and he came over to stare at us like he always does.

"He slipped over on to his side so I jumped up and tried to pick him up. He couldn't get up, he was just looking at me and he took his last breath in my arms. I think he had a massive heart attack.

"We have taken him to the pet cemetery to get him cremated. It's the hardest thing ever, saying goodbye to my best friend.

"She (Mollie) gave him in kiss and a cuddle and said goodbye. I'm in shock as he hasn't been unwell or anything.

"I'm absolutely heartbroken."

Jemma got Cooper when he was just eight-weeks-old. He was smaller than a normal bulldog and had to have his eye removed when he was two-years-old after contracting Glaucoma.

In his short life he also underwent an operation on his leg after snapping his cruciate ligament.

The dental nurse set up his Facebook page after he lost his eye and would write posts from his point of view.

When she spotted a Gala Bingo advert for a competition in which the prize was for the winning dog to appear in Emmerdale, she entered him immediately.

Cooper won and travelled with Jemma and her mum Lynne Teasdale, 52, in a limo to the set of Emmerdale in May.

They were put up in a luxury hotel, given a VIP tour of the set and met the cast.

During filming Cooper, who usually spends 14 hours a day asleep, had a nap in the back of the limo.

Jemma added: "He's got so many people who love him across the world, everyone will be gutted.

"I'm hoping to get Cooper's ashes made into a necklace for Mollie for when she is older.

"He's a massively popular little dog.

"People will be crying all over the world, not just me - everyone is grieving together.

"Everyone will miss him."