Comedian, TV star and Dog Listener Tony Knight dies, aged 54, in 'freak accident' involving tree at festival

Knight was at the Rock & Cars festival in Lavaur in southern France when he was killed in an accident. A large tree branch fell and landed on seven people, killing Knight and injuring the others, according to local news reports.

His partner of more than 15 years, Hayley Wright, posted a loving tribute to Knight on her Instagram page. Alongside a photo of him, she wrote: “He was an exceptionally talented man, with so many strings to his bow. There really was nothing he couldn’t do. He was a fantastic friend to so many, an amazing dog Dad….but most of all he was my world & it will never be the same without him.”

Knight died in a “freak accident” on Saturday June 8. According to a GoFundMe page started by Wright’s sister Joanne Allen, at the time of his accident he was heading to Bouillac in the south of France, where he had a home and where friends were waiting for him to arrive on his annual trip. Knight had been due to join him once he got there.

He had stopped at the festival with his friend Pascall while he was on his way there. It is not known if Pascall was involved in the accident or not. Allen wrote: “We are beyond devastated that his life was taken by a freak accident . . . an accident that we are all still trying to comprehend.”

Knight was a world-renowned dog listener and he even helped train the pets of stars like Molly Meldrum, Sonia Kruger and the Dubai Royal Family. His work earned him the nickname of the Dog Listener. He was also a comedian, author and TV star. He had been working as a dog listener for 24 years and had even trained 30 others to do the same job. His job saw him travel all over the world for TV and radio appearances.

Wright concluded her tribute to her long-life love by writing: “He would probably end this with a joke, but that was his talent & not mine . . . he really did see the bright side of every situation. I’m truly heartbroken & in shock. My Love ‘it is all about you’ . . . and it always will be.”

In her own tribute to Knight, Allen wrote: “[He was] having the time of his life. He was fit, healthy, happy and had everything going for him. He was charismatic, funny, passionate and so very loved by Hayley, his family and his friends all over the world. His passion was dogs and he helped people all over the world with his classes both in person, online, on radio and television, ebooks, and more. He was very well respected and admired. His method worked and he loved helping people with their dogs.”

She also revealed that Knight, who had thousands of followers across his Youtube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok pages, was about to do a run of shows through the UK, as well as run his esteemed dog classes through Europe. The purpose of the GoFundMe page, simply called Tony Knight, is to help Wright pay for Knight’s funeral, medical bills and ongoing costs of sorting his estate.

Lavaur's mayor Bernard Carayon told local media that "never has such a dramatic event happened in our town”. He added: “I have expressed our profound compassion to the family in this difficult time.”

There were also many messages of condolence from Knight’s fans on Wright’s Instagram post. One said: “Hayley I’m so very sorry to hear this. I’m in shock. Thoughts are with you.” Another said: “I’m so sorry Hayley, unimaginable. Sending you lots of love xxx.” A third wrote: “I am so sorry Hayley for the loss of Tony in a tragic accident. I met both of you some years ago, thinking of you at this difficult time.”

Less than two weeks after Knight’s sudden and untimely death, Wright returned to Instagram to announce the sad death of one of the couple’s dogs. On Wednesday June 19, she shared a photo of the pooch and wrote: “Yesterday we said goodbye to Gypsy, the little dog who came into our lives when she was at her most vulnerable. All I can say is that Gypsy, you will have someone who loves you waiting for you on the other side.”

Once again, Wright was sent multiple messages of support. One said: “I am sorry for your second loss in such a short time. Thinking of you.” A second said: “Beautiful Gypsy. I’m so sorry, Hayley.” A third said: “What a tragic time” with a crying face emoji.