A celebrity pooch from Oldham who has made several TV appearances suffered a near-fatal injury when walking in Saddleworth.

The animal actor Chilli, who lives in Grotton, is most famously known as Linda Biscuits and has been one of the comedy stars of Joe Lycett's Channel 4 series, Late Night Lycett.

A running joke on the series saw Joe 'threaten' Linda with the sack, only for her to win a reprieve after appeals from the public and her doting fans.

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Chilli is also no stranger to showbiz appearances, having also featured in TV commercials and shows such as Dragon's Den.

The Oldham Times: Chilli is no stranger to the limelight and works in canine first aid off cameraChilli is no stranger to the limelight and works in canine first aid off camera (Image: Rachel Bean/Animal News Agency)

However, the four-year-old pup narrowly avoided severing a major artery while out on a walk with her owner, Rachel Bean, in Moorgate Quarry, Saddleworth.

Rachel, who travels the world giving canine first aid training, saw Chilli come "running out of the heather" with a three-inch cut beneath her carpal pad, just millimetres from her major arterial blood supply.

She said: "I saw the cut straight away.

"I am a veterinary nurse so knew what to do, but she was so lucky that it didn't hit her major artery, she could have died."

The Oldham Times: Chilli was almost fatally injured when out walking in SaddleworthChilli was almost fatally injured when out walking in Saddleworth (Image: Rachel Bean/ Animal News Agency)

The poorly pup was then raced to Vets 4 Pets in Cheadle where Rachel works and was given general anaesthetic while a vet cleaned and sealed the wound.

Rachel, who wrote the iPET Network's qualification in canine first aid, added: "It just goes to show that accidents can happen at any time.

"Luckily I had the training to act calmly and quickly, but it could have been really bad.

"Chilli is strong and is up and about again, after giving us all a scare you would think nothing had ever happened to her."

The Oldham Times: Linda Biscuits is a fan favourite on the Late Night Lycett comedy showLinda Biscuits is a fan favourite on the Late Night Lycett comedy show (Image: Rachel Bean/Animal News Agency)

Since Chilli was 10 weeks old, she and Rachel have travelled the country giving first aid demonstrations to pet professionals and individuals, and Chilli's demonstrations have helped to save hundreds of canine lives.

Rachel added: "Chilli absolutely loved playing Linda Biscuits on Late Night Lycett, and we think she is the star of the show.

"It's hilarious how much of a running joke her appearance became, and despite his protestations, we think that Joe is secretly loving sharing the limelight with a dog.

"But her real job, helping me show pet professionals how to save dog's lives, is her true calling, she is amazing at our sessions and is trained to act out worst-case scenarios, so that I can demonstrate what to do in that particular crisis.

The Oldham Times: Rachel said Chilli was lucky she didn't hit a major arteryRachel said Chilli was lucky she didn't hit a major artery (Image: Rachel Bean/Animal News Agency)
"Without Chilli the courses would not be as engaging or fun, and she is the perfect sidekick. She is loving her TV fame, but there is so much more to her than simply Linda Biscuits."

Rachel also co-owns the Vet On Set business, which sends vets to TV and film sets to ensure animal welfare for creatures like Chilli is the heart of all filming in the UK.

Rachel added: "Everyone loves to see animals on the big and small screen, but no one wants to watch animal stars who have been mistreated.

"Vet on Set is all about working with the animal during filming to ensure that they are comfortable, happy and that their needs are met at all time."

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.