Jude Riordan, beloved by Coronation Street as wunderkind Sam Blakeman, has taken to Instagram after suffering a heart breaking loss and has been flooded with supportive messages from fans and followers.

Jude’s on-screen alter ego is currently locked in a battle with paedophile Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon), who’s campaign of terror against the young’un has seen him turn to drugs.

In real life, though, he’s dealing with the sad loss of Ruby, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, who had been a part of the family since he was a toddler.

Taking to Instagram, Jude shared a carousel of sweet images, featuring himself and Ruby together throughout the years

‘I didn’t expect to say goodbye to her,’ he began the caption.

‘Even though she was at end of life stage it was still a big shock. Yesterday we had to say goodbye to Ruby. I held her little face right until the end.

‘Losing a dog is so painful. She was a sweet girl and we will miss her forever. I hope her tired legs are strong again running over rainbow bridge.

Messages of support for Jude

Hollyoaks’ Isabelle Smith who plays Frankie Osborne commented: ‘so sorry for your loss, sending lots of love’, while Alex Fletcher who plays Diane Hutchinson added: ‘Ah I’m so sorry to hear this – sending lots of love’.

Co-star Cait Fitton, who plays Lauren Bolton said: ‘Sending love Jude’ while on-screen enemy, Beth Nixon emoted: ‘Oh Jude, I can tell she had an amazing life even just from these photos, sending you and your family so much love’

Former on-screen girlfriend, Isabella Flanagan (Hope Dobbs) said: ‘So sorry for your loss darling, hope you’re all okay’, while on-screen mum, Rachel Leskovac added: ‘awww sending love and hugs to you buddy’

Fans of Jude also offered their well wishes; @63pitstop said: ‘Saying goodbye to a dog is very painful, they are part of the family, it’s especially bad of your child has grown up with them, they leave an enormous hole in our hearts. Remember the happy times and the fun things she used to do’

@dysfunctional_you1 added: ‘I’m so sorry for your loss. We had to say goodbye to our 14 year old dog a couple of months ago. We have found it so hard. I forget she’s gone every now and again, just for a split second. Sending you and your family lots of love’.

Sam reveals all about Megan?

Ever since Sam cottoned on to insidious Megan’s abuse of Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale), he’s been determined to save Will from her abusive clutches and done everything possible to force him to face up to the truth of the situation, while holding his nerve against Megan herself.

Megan, in retaliation, has launched a full scale assault against Sam, sabotaging his school results and countering his plan to record video evidence of Megan abusing Will, threatening to use his scheme to paint him as a perverted voyeur.

Poor Sam, unable to deal with an adults psychological warfare against him, has turned to Ritalin to boost his academic performance, though step mum, Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson), has smelt a rat, and is determined to uncover what has rattled Sam so badly.

While Sam could prove to be the key to Megan’s abuse being exposed to the world, will she have a final trick up her sleeve in her attempts to silence him?