Celebrities enjoy night alongside furry friends at glitzy Collars and Coats Gala Ball in London
Celebrities were out in their droves for this year’s Collars and Coats Gala Ball as they posed for pictures with adorable pets at the glitzy bash in London.
Among stars to step out on the red carpet for the annual event was novelist Dame Jaquelin Wilson and famous YouTube vlogger Jim Chapman.
Others seen arriving for the glamorous gala, hosted by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home on Thursday, was TV doctor Christian Jessen and actress Amanda Abbington.
Speaking on the red carpet ahead of the bash at Battersea Evoluton, doctor Jessen highlighted the "many" health benefits of owning a dog.
He said: "There are lots of studies into the effects on anxiety and pressure, especially with kids that have behavioural issues.
"There are even studies into dogs now that can detect malaria, from smelling sweat, which is mind-bogglingly extraordinary as us humans have taken hundreds of years to even start detecting it.
"Dogs can do it at a sniff."
Dr Christian added: "That puts us in our place quite nicely."
He also hailed the Duke of Sussex for coming forward to talk about male mental health issues.
The star of Channel 4's Embarrassing Bodies said that more "big names" needed to come forward and talk about mental health.
He said: "I think we are gradually starting to talk about (mental health). It would be good to see more and more big names coming forward, footballers for example, coming forward.
"The turning point for me was when Prince Harry came forward and was talking about his problems and the fact he needed help when his mum died. It's such a cliche, I know, but it's like when his mother sat on the bed of someone with HIV. That was a turning point in HIV."
Dr Christian added: "So, he follows in her footsteps with mental health. It's not happening enough but it is happening, thank goodness."
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Stars including Jennifer Saunders, Amanda Abbington, David Gandy, Kirsty Gallacher and Jeff Brazier also walked the red carpet along with a number of dogs.
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