Noel Fitzpatrick explains why he doesn’t say ‘pet owner’
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Noel Fitzpatrick has spoken of the moment his career was clinging on for dear life. The Supervet faced losing everything he worked for when one of his animal patients died several months after an operation.
Depending on the outcome, I could face a suspension or even be struck off
Noel Fitzpatrick
The Channel 4 star, 53, was left feeling deflated after four vets filed official complaints against him, several months after the incident.
Noel had treated Hermes, a tortoise, and had fitted the reptile with four bionic legs after his legs were eaten by mice during hibernation season.
While speaking to Hermes’ owners, euthanasia was discussed, but Noel performed the surgery, believing the pet could live for another 50 years.
However, months after the operation, at the end of 2018, Hermes died from an unrelated condition.
At the time, Noel was left in tears while the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons investigated him.
In an extract of his book, How Animals Saved My Life: Being The Supervet, Noel writes that those who complained against him believed he put “self-promotion above my commitment to the health and welfare of my patient and requested a full disciplinary hearing”.
He went on to write: “Depending on the outcome, I could face a suspension or even be struck off, meaning I would no longer be allowed to practice veterinary medicine, which had been the central purpose of my life for as long as I could remember.”
Noel notes in his book that as the investigation got underway, he found himself spiralling into a cloud of depression.
While he sought help from professionals, Noel said that his depression “wouldn’t budge”.
The Ballyfin, Ireland-born star claims that he found an awakening after falling down a set of stairs, causing him to break his neck.
“I was trapped inside my own body for the first time in my life, unable to move, unable to escape the thoughts that crashed around in my head, which normally would have been sublimated into simply working harder,” he wrote.
The investigation into Noel concluded in January 2020, discovering that although euthanasia should have been the best option for Hermes, there was in fact, no professional misconduct.
Noel soon began his recovery, wearing a neck brace and barely moving for several months.
Earlier this week, he took to social media, urging his followers to remain cautious as fake profiles impersonating him had been targeting people.
Posting an image that read “scammer alert”, he caught the attention of his followers as he explained the situation.
“Still hearing reports of fake Noel’s popping up,” he wrote.
“Please only trust THIS account on Instagram, as well as my verified Twitter and Facebook. I do not have any others. Be wary of anyone posing as me contacting you.”
The telly sweetheart continued to clarify: “I would never use my social media channels to adversely affect anyone.
“I feel fortunate that so much of social media is used for good over bad – and that it provides a platform for us to connect thanks to our love of animals and the bond we share with them.”
He encouraged his followers to share the message with their friends so they are also aware, urging them to “stay safe” and take care before signing off.
Following his announcement, fans rushed to the comments section to condemn the scammers, with one exclaiming: “So c**p that people scam and think it’s okay, but it’s countered by people like the REAL Noel Fitzpatrick who uses his powers for good not evil.”
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