Alan was an avid animal lover, and enjoyed spending time in his garden feeding the birds and squirrels - they use to come and tap on the window for him to feed them.

He was always fascinated by Richards tropical fish and would sit and watch them playing in the bogwood and the plants.

Alan had some of Richards animal photography of Rhinos and Orangutangs hanging on his wall.

He also cared for Jenni's fish and Chinchilla - letting the latter out of his cage to run around the living room.

Alan owned 4 persian cats in the Family: Mowie, Willow, Hunky Dory & T.C. ... he loved to sit with them and looked after Hunky Dory for a while at his home in essex before Hunky sadly died.

His partner in Essex also had a German Shepherd.