The Wanted star Nathan Sykes shares how dogs give him purpose: ‘I can’t imagine not having a dog’

There’s a little bridge at the end of Nathan Sykes’ street in Lincolnshire, which looks over the river that runs through the town. Every day, his dog Willow likes to stop at that bridge, and Sykes takes a moment to look out at the view and notice little changes.

“It’s genuinely the most beautiful thing,” says Sykes, who is best known for being a member of boy band The Wanted. “If I didn’t have Willow, I wouldn’t be out there doing that.”

Sykes admits that he has struggled with his mental health over the last year, after his life changed when he was diagnosed with autism. Dalmatian Willow, who Sykes’ wife Charlotte has owned for 15 years, has been a constant source of joy and comfort throughout.

Read more:

• These powerful photos of homeless people and their pet dogs are smashing stereotypes
• No one should face homelessness alone: How Dogs Trust keeps homeless people and their dogs together
• Criminals to be stopped from smuggling puppies: ‘Thousands are taken from their mothers far too young’

An ambassador for Dogs Trust, Sykes is speaking to the Big Issue to promote the charity’s Happy Place campaign. It’s a celebration of everything that dogs do for us, and everything that dog owners can do for their dogs to make their tails wag.

For Willow, it’s the local coffee shop and watching Disney movies – Sykes says they genuinely have a Disney+ subscription just for Willow. She particularly likes 101 Dalmatians.

Almost every single dog owner (97%) considers their pup to be family, recent Dogs Trust research found. And more than two thirds (67%) of people say they have cancelled plans because they prefer to stay home in the company of their dogs.

Dogs deserve to find a happy place, wherever they have come from, which is why Sykes is such an advocate for Dogs Trust – which cares for thousands of dogs across the country who are waiting to find their forever homes.

We chat to Nathan Sykes about why dogs make him happy, what makes his dogs happy, and how other people could make dogs happy in their own lives.

Tell us about your journey with dogs.

I’ve always had a really special connection with dogs. My great uncle Brian and his wife June always rescued German Shepherds and they do amazing work. But there’s always been a real emphasis on not just having a dog for the sake of having a dog. You’ve got to be in the right place and have the time. You’ve got to be able to commit fully and be able to welcome what is a new family member into your family.

When I was a teenager, we took on a little Jack Russell called Harry. Then I got my golden doodle mini when I was 21, when my time with The Wanted was coming to an end and I was living with my mum. And then I have Willow, who is here with me now. She is fast asleep. I apologise if she starts snoring.

She’s my wife’s dog. She got her when she was 16. One of the big challenges I faced at the start of our relationship was Willow accepting me, and we really bonded straight away. She’s an absolute angel. 

What about dogs makes you happy?

They give me a purpose and drive me to want to do the best for them at all times. I can’t imagine not having a dog. I love older dogs. At Dogs Trust, people get very excited when the puppies come in, but the waiting list for puppies is massive and the puppies go immediately. Sometimes people forget that there are dogs who are 11, 12, 13 and they’re there through no fault of their own. And they need someone to provide a lovely rest of their life.

What makes your dogs happy?

We live in Lincolnshire and we’re about half an hour away from the beach. At this time of year, with Willow’s older legs, that is not where she wants to be and she does not thank me for it. But we have beautiful hills with a river running next to it and massive fields at the end of the street. We go and feed the ducks with Willow. 

She’s got a love for going for a coffee – she obviously doesn’t drink coffee but we’ve got a Caffè Nero nearby and they’re dog-friendly. There is a sofa that she loves where she looks out the window and watches the world go by. More coffee shops should be dog friendly. Willow’s not a big fan of the pub.

And it’s even things like watching a movie. We genuinely have a Disney Plus subscription for Willow. She loves Disney films. There’s something about the music she adores. And obviously being a dalmatian, she loves 101 Dalmations.

We’ll all fall asleep watching a Disney film. It’s really wholesome, but seeing Willow’s happiness and seeing Minnie’s happiness when I’m home at my mum’s brings so much joy to our lives. That’s been amazing for me having that purpose among a very stressful and unpredictable world.

Has there been a time in your life where dogs have made your life better?

If I’m honest, I’ve had a bit of a tough year in terms of my mental health. There have been a lot of changes, which I don’t do very well with, particularly with my autism diagnosis that I got in 2024. But Willow is a constant and if I’m having a day where I’m struggling to snap out of a headspace, there’s a reason to go outside.

There’s a beautiful little part of the world at the end of our street, where there’s a little bridge, and it looks over the river that runs through the town. And it’s genuinely the most beautiful thing. And she stops there every day. It allows me a moment to take in something beautiful and notice little changes. If I didn’t have Willow, I wouldn’t be out there doing that.

What would you say to encourage people to support Dogs Trust?

It’s important to remember that these dogs aren’t there because they’re horrors. A lot of the dogs are there through no fault of their own and there’s a range of reasons why dogs need a new home. Having spent time at rehoming centres, you meet the most beautiful little angels. They work with 11,000 dogs every year. They care and the team is really special.

Find out more about Dogs Trust.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

Change a vendor’s life this Christmas.

Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – or support online with a vendor support kit or a subscription – and help people work their way out of poverty with dignity.