British Actor Adam Rickitt Announces Death of His Family's Member

The actor and his wife shared that they had scattered the ashes of their "baby" in a place filled with memories — a gesture that quickly drew sympathy and support from the public.

On January 4, 2026, British actor Adam Rickitt and his wife, Katy Rickitt, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram. The couple posted a joint message revealing a deeply personal family moment.

"Today we scattered our baby Daphne in our special place, Tatton park," the caption began. "She now shares the same tree as Rufus, where she forms the bottom and he the branches."

"This is the scene of our happiest dog walks as a family, where she attacked the gate and @adamrickitt feet!" they continued before adding:

"The clouds formed a D as we left, and we'd like to think she's finally Princess Daphne in the kingdom of wobble bouncing through blancmange clouds! We'll always love you, our true baby. Rest peacefully and happy with big brother Rufus. Until we see you again xx."

The heartfelt post prompted an outpouring of sympathy from netizens, many of whom shared their own grief and memories of losing beloved pets.

"I'm so sorry for your loss…I lost my husky in April she was 10 ive still got her ashes in the same wee box as daphnes sending you massive hugs 💞xx [sic]," one person commented.

A day later, Adam shared a lengthier message, revealing the sudden and tragic circumstances surrounding Daphne's death.

Another wrote, "Truly sorry for your loss. I know how it feels. We lost our big lad Beau, a GSD, 5 years ago and it still hurts and I think of him everyday. Ive gorgeous step kids but as I couldn't have my own my dogs are my babies ( some will say that's not right, but it's just how it is!) love to you both ❤️ [sic]."

"Sending so much love ❤️ nothing worse than losing our fur babies 🤍 xx," another typed. A fourth netizen added, "Awww this is really sad, sorry for your loss 🙁big hugs to you Both [sic] ❤️ 🙏xx."

Adam, known for playing Nick Tilsley in "Coronation Street" and for his role in New Zealand's "Shortland Street," first announced Daphne's passing in a moving Instagram post on December 7, 2025.

"Sweet dreams my princess," he wrote. "Like everything you did it your way. We never got to say goodbye but hopefully you know how loved you were." A day later, he shared a lengthier message, revealing the sudden and tragic circumstances surrounding Daphne's death. He began:

"I can't believe I'm actually saying this but goodnight and god bless to our beautiful baby Daphne who passed away last night."

He explained that while their eldest dog, Tallulah, had been ill for some time, Daphne's death had been completely unexpected.

"She just got a stomach bug, we took her to the emergency vets because she stopped drinking 'just incase' … they said she was stable then she just had a heart attack. She was only 5 and the shock and sadness just feels unbearable right now," the caption read.

Reflecting on her personality, Adam described Daphne as "our beautiful baby wobble princess… our Peter Pan who never grew up." She had been born with chronic limb deformities, requiring surgery from a young age to prevent severe arthritis.

Away from television, the actor has been open about the struggles he's faced behind the scenes.

"Turns out she still hated walking even after her recovery!" he wrote. "But loved being pushed around like a queen in her pram. She was the most gorgeous little diva, barked at us to vacate the sofa at 11pm but absolutely adored Sunday cuddles, sunshine, things on wheels, anything edible (and not) and going to the vets."

He concluded, "Most of all she just loved to be loved and I hope she knew just how much love we will always have for her. Rest easy princess Daphne now you will always be happy and running pain free in the kingdom of wobble. I hope we see you there. Goodbye beautiful girl xxx."

Despite the heartbreak, Adam and Katy were able to share a moment of gratitude over the holidays. On December 25, 2025, he posted the message to Instagram, "Merry Christmas to you and yours from all of us. It’s a lil bit different for us this year but we are grateful for the love we have all around us 🥰."

That sense of reflection and appreciation has long been a part of Adam's public life. Away from television, the actor has been open about the struggles he's faced behind the scenes.

In a past interview for Mental Health Awareness Week, he revealed that he battled bulimia as a teenager while at boarding school in Cumbria. He revealed:

"If I'm honest looking back now, the problem started much younger because I never felt like I fitted into that environment."

The actor has also opened up about meeting Katy, a reporter for "Good Morning Britain," whom he now calls his soul mate. "I reached 32 and thought, 'Maybe I'll be lucky in family and business, but not lucky in love,'" he recalled.

"But she turned up to interview me, and immediately after, I rang my mum and said, 'I've met the girl I'm going to marry. I genuinely believe you're born with half a soul, and the only way you become truly happy is by finding that other half. She's the other half of my soul," Adam added.

Now, as the couple continues to grieve the loss of their beloved Daphne, it's clear that their bond — and the love they shared with their pets — remains unshakable.