Tess Daly devastated after accidentally killing the family's beloved dog, Minnie

Tess Daly is inconsolable after crushing the beloved Maltese Shih Tzu Minnie of the family – the second time in three years, one of their dogs died suddenly.

Star Strictly accidentally killed her pet when their builders left an open door.

Minnie could not be saved after being hit by the car when Tess, 49, returned home. They lost Labrador Sam in 2016 after being struck by what is believed to be a little known lungworm disease.

She told the Sun Sunday: "I am devastated by this terrible accident. This is the worst nightmare of a dog owner.

"It has had a huge effect on the whole family and we are sorry to lose Minnie.

"It has been and continues to be a very emotional moment for all of us."

Their two devastated daughters, Phoebe, 14, and Amber, nine, joined their father and mother, Vernon, in the Maldives, after the family planned their holidays.

They decided to take the break to comfort the girls, who still have the little blue Chihuahua.

One source said, "Tess is absolutely beyond the broken heart.

"She and Vernon instilled in the girls that they should never let the dogs out and that the animals would always stay inside.

"But they invited the builders to do various repairs in the yard. And one of the workers stupidly left the front door open – and Minnie escaped.

"Tess was out for the morning and, as she was walking down the aisle, she was too high in her SUV to see Minnie come out suddenly.

"Everything happened in a flash and she could not do anything. But it was disgusting.

"Minnie was like another child for Tess and Vernon and losing a family member in such a tragic and hideous way is naturally devastating."