Tributes pour in for Antiques Roadshow cat Minou as she dies aged 17 leaving show stars devastated 

Tributes have poured in for Minou the cat after she died aged 17. 

The kitty, dubbed ‘Wiltshire’s most famous feline’, featured in the opening credits of BBC’s Antiques Roadshow and instantly became a fan favourite. 

She belonged to antiques expert Marc Allum who revealed his devastation after Minou was put to sleep by a vet on March 2 after suffering from deteriorating health.

In a sweet tribute, Marc tweeted a picture of Minou that he captioned: ‘For almost 17 years this beautiful creature has been a central part of our lives. Today we had to say goodbye to Minou. 

‘The pleasure he gave us is beyond measure. We will miss him soooo much but he will still pop up on your screens on the titles of @BBC_ARoadshow Such a star!’

Tragic: Minou belonged to antiques expert Marc Allum who revealed his devastation after Minou was put to sleep by a vet on March 2 after suffering from deteriorating health

Marc rescued Minou when she was a small kitten in France and described her as a ‘one-in-a-million cat’.

Taking to Twitter fans of the feline penned: ‘Oh my… I am so heartbroken to hear this…. beautiful little Minou…. an absolute star… I wish I had met her but I know she had the most loving life ❤️’;

‘Sorry to hear that Marc and as a cat lover I sympathise. A great picture of a very handsome cat.’; ‘Such sad news, Minou was such a beautiful cat. Sending our love to you both, R&S x

‘A very sad moment…xxx’; I’m saddened to hear that the Antiques Roadshow cat Minou, probably Wiltshire’s most famous feline, has died aged 17. My strolls past his home in Chippenham will never be the same — I will miss giving him lots of attention. RIP. ♥️’ 

Fans will still be able to see Minou if they watch Antiques Roadshow’s opening sequence, with the adorable cat having a starring turn running across a table and nearly knocking over pricey ornaments. 

Antiques Roadshow fans will most recently have seen The Queen Consort when she charmed viewers on the programme on Sunday. 

Filmed in Cornwall at the Eden Project last September, shortly before the late Queen’s death on September 8 – when Camilla, 75, was still the Duchess of Cornwall, the episode saw the royal browsing the antiques brought in by local residents, and marvelling at the Eden Project’s horticultural splendour.

For the occasion, Camilla brought along a rare snuffbox from the Royal Collection made from Cornish silver and a copy of Elegy In A Country Churchyard by poet Thomas Gray to be examined.

Tributes: Marc rescued Minou when she was a small kitten in France and described her as a ‘one-in-a-million cat’ while followers paid tribute to her 

Wearing an elegant green leaf patterned dress, the Queen Consort also joined host Fiona Bruce in a Guess The Mystery Object game. 

Fiona, who has presented Antiques Roadshow since 2008, said: ‘The Queen Consort was just terrific fun. She put everyone at ease and was keen to take part in the programme and chat to everyone. 

‘The members of the public that came along with their items that day got a bit more than they bargained for as they had no idea The Queen Consort was coming!

‘Her Majesty got stuck into our Antiques Roadshow games, though Guess The Mystery Object had us both stumped.’

Royal delight: Antiques Roadshow fans will most recently have seen The Queen Consort when she charmed viewers on the programme on Sunday