Larry the Cat fans have been growing increasingly concerned that Downing Street’s Chief Mouser is severely ill.
Officials at Downing Street recently stated that they were “preparing” for the worst. It comes after the 16-year-old feline, who has outlived five UK Prime Ministers, has been ill for some time.
However, a UK Government representative maintains that Larry is “happy and healthy” in a fresh update. To demonstrate this, he made an unexpected appearance on BBC News.
A Downing Street spokesman told ITV News: “I would say he is happy and healthy. To drive the point home, Larry wondered his way across the street during a BBC broadcast this morning.”
The Twitter account dedicated to Larry the Cat responded to a claim he “stole the news again”.
The account joked: “Thought I’d best make an appearance on BBC News to reassure you all that I’m alive and kicking x.”
But a Westminster source previously said: “Larry is much loved not only in Downing Street but across the country.
“No one wants to think the worst, but unfortunately we must prepare for it.”
Larry became a member of number 10 after being adopted from Battersea in 2011. He was supposed to be a cat for the children of then-Prime Minister David Cameron.
Larry, on the other hand, remained as leadership changed. According to the Downing Street website, “Larry spends his days greeting guests, inspecting security defences, and testing antique furniture for napping quality.”
“His day-to-day responsibilities also include contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house.”