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Saturday Night Takeaway star ‘devastated’ as disabled dog is barred from holiday she won on show-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
She won the trip of a lifetime on the ITV show.
![Saturday Night Takeaway star ‘devastated’ as disabled dog is barred from holiday she won on show-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SEC_200276241-d048.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=960)
Tammie Fox won the trip of a lifetime on Saturday Night Takeaway (Picture: Instagram)
A Saturday Night Takeaway winner is ‘devastated’ her paralysed dog was banned from a TUI holiday she won on the show.
Tammie Fox, 43, was gifted a trip for four along with more than 400 volunteers at a disabled animal charity after being nominated for seats in the ITV show’s live audience in February.
But the mother-of-two from Lincoln, who founded Pumpkin and Friends, named after her dog, said she was ‘angry’ when TUI said her pet was not allowed on the getaway because it was not an assistance animal.
In a statement shared with Metro.co.uk, TUI said they ‘appreciated’ Tammie’s disappointment but explained that it was regulation: ‘UK airline policies prohibit non-assistance dogs travelling in an aeroplane cabin.’
Tammie had hit out at the company and said she was ‘angry’ that her dog, Pumpkin, who uses a special buggy with wheels and has no bladder control, was barred from the trip.
She told The Sun: ‘This is effectively discrimination against my disabled dog.
She had been invited on the show for her work with her disabled animal charity (Picture: ITV)
Tammie had hoped to take her dog Pumpkin as the pet had helped her won the prize (Picture: ITV)
‘We’re all devastated after being given a prize only for our dreams to be snatched away from us.
‘We had such a good time on the show but it’s all been spoilt.’
A TUI spokesperson said they were ‘delighted’ when Tammie was recognised on the show because she does ‘amazing work.’
They continued: ‘We appreciate she’s disappointed it’s not possible to bring Pumpkin on the holiday prize she was awarded, but sadly UK airline policies prohibit non-assistance dogs travelling in an airplane cabin.
TUI explained non-assistance dogs are not allowed to travel in airplanes as per UK policy Picture: Instagram)
Pumpkin inspired Tammie’s disabled animal charity (Picture: Instagram)
‘We’ve discussed this with Tammie and understand she doesn’t want to travel without Pumpkin.
‘Whilst we’re tied to terms and conditions and policies around the prize, we’re in touch with her team about other ways we might be able to support the charity as a gesture of goodwill.’
Under UK policy, only assistance dogs trained and certified by an organisation that is a full member of Assistance Dogs International or International Guide Dog Federation are permitted to travel in-cabin.
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Tammie’s Saturday Night Takeaway prize was for a seven-night all-inclusive holiday to one of 41 overseas destinations or a seven-night all-inclusive cruise from a list of itineraries for up to four people.
Last weekend, Ant and Dec signed off their final Saturday Night Takeaway before going on hiatus.
The blockbuster episode of the variety show featured a whole host of guests, including the likes of S Club 7, Girls Aloud, Simon Cowell, Dermot O’Leary, Alison Hammond and Holly Willoughby.
It saw saw a peak viewership of 5.3 million, according to overnight ratings released by ITV, with an average of 4.6 million viewers having tuned in, the broadcaster said.
Metro.co.uk has contacted TUI and ITV for comment.
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