Simon Cowell had seen it all during his many years on the Britain’s Got Talent jury — but nothing could have prepared him for the day Marc Métral and his “talking dog” took the stage.
It’s impossible to forget the ventriloquist dog act from Britain’s Got Talent. Both the audience and the judges were amazed by Marc Métral and his “talking” dog, Miss Wendy. The performance was so realistic that it even sparked concern among viewers about Wendy’s well-being.
When the Frenchman and his dog Wendy enter the stage of BGT, in 2015, the jury looked very skeptical. But when they started their performance, the crowd or the jury couldn’t stop cheering.
Simon Cowell? His jaw has dropped in this classic viral moment;
After fans voiced their worries online, Simon Cowell contacted the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to make sure the act was safe. Some thought Miss Wendy looked nervous or was shaking during their 2015 debut, prompting speculation that she might be mistreated.
RSPCA Investigates the Famous Dog Act
Métral’s act used a small remote-controlled device that moved Miss Wendy’s mouth, making it appear as though she was speaking. He performed alongside her like a classic ventriloquist dummy routine — but with an uncanny level of realism.
Simon Cowell later addressed the controversy on Twitter, writing:
“I thought a lot about the dog act on our show tonight. It’s no secret I love animals. I believe if you can show that animals have personalities, more people will hopefully respect them and show compassion.”
He went on to confirm that the RSPCA had observed Wendy during rehearsals and confirmed that she was healthy and well cared for. Cowell thanked fans for raising their concerns and assured them that animal welfare was taken seriously.
The Parisian entertainer defended the act, saying he had trained and performed with Wendy since she was a puppy:
“She loves performing, and I would never put her in a situation that causes distress. She gets excited when we go to work and is always comfortable on stage.”
The pair reached the Britain’s Got Talent semi-finals before being eliminated by public vote.
Still performing years later
Even after the show, Marc Métral and Miss Wendy continued performing around Europe. While Métral rarely posts online, his Instagram tag shows photos from live shows as recently as 2019. One post promoted a 2021 show near Rambouillet, France, calling Métral “a phenomenon” thanks to his world-famous talking dog act.
In 2020, the duo returned to television on France’s Got Talent: Battle of the Judges, a spin-off featuring standout performers from previous seasons. It had been five years since their BGT appearance, and fans noticed that Métral’s and Wendy’s voices sounded slightly deeper — perhaps due to age or the language change.
The best part? Miss Wendy was still alive and performing! Métral hasn’t revealed her age publicly, but he has said he’s had her since she was two months old. Unfortunately, the duo was eliminated after their first performance on the French show.
Where Is Miss Wendy Now?
Since Métral keeps a low profile on social media, fans have only seen glimpses of him through tagged photos. In July 2021, performer Emmanuelle Bonneman shared a photo from a live dinner show featuring Métral — but without Miss Wendy.
“Last night, 500 people attended a dinner show with a superb lineup of artists happy to finally be back on stage,” Bonneman wrote in her caption.
The absence of Wendy from the photo sparked concern among fans, who hope she’s still doing well. Whether or not she’s still performing, Marc Métral’s legacy as the man behind Britain’s Got Talent’s most unforgettable “talking dog” act lives on.
At his age, it’s inspiring to see him still pursuing his passion for performing — proving that talent and heart never fade, even if his beloved Miss Wendy is no longer by his side.
