Leading dog food producer Burgess has recruited Coronation Street’s newest resident – a black Labrador puppy called Ozzy – as brand ambassador for the company’s popular Supadog and Supadog Wellbeing ranges of food. Ozzy appeared on screen at the end of October, in a storyline that saw hairdresser Maria Sutherland (played by Samia Smith) give the puppy as a gift to factory owner Liam Connor (Rob James Collier). In real-life, Ozzy belongs to dog expert Anne Lunt, who has 40 years’ experience in the canine world, and is secretary of Ashton-under-Lyne & District Kennel Association (DKA). Anne and her extended family own 17 dogs – mainly Bulldogs, but also Giant Schnauzers and Great Danes – all of which are fed with Burgess food. Ozzy is currently fed Supadog Puppy, which is specially designed for growing dogs. Hypo-allergenic and wheat-gluten free, it contains high levels of protein and carbohydrate to help with muscle and skeletal growth, and extra calcium to help strengthen developing bones and teeth. Christine Neasham, head of marketing at Burgess, said: “Ozzy is a delightful puppy who will no doubt become a star of the show. We’ve known Anne for some time and have always been keen to support her at the DKA shows, so when she told us that Ozzy was thriving on Supadog Puppy, we thought it would be a great opportunity to make him ‘brand ambassador’. “He isn’t the first celebrity fan of our food – Jilly Cooper’s rescue greyhound, Feather, loves Supadog Wellbeing.” Anne is currently spending up to four hours a day with Ozzy on the Coronation Street set, for the hectic filming schedule in the run-up to Christmas. She looks after him throughout the day and ensures that he’s happy and comfortable. According to Anne, he’s taken to his new life like a duck to water. “He seems to be loving every minute of it,” she said. “He’s a real hit on set and is very spoiled. Samia and Rob, his main co-stars, are dog-lovers and they adore him, and most of the other cast members make a fuss of him too. I hope he’ll be a hit with viewers, and enjoy a long and successful soap career!”