Larry the Cat responds to rumours that he has died

Warning to all mice and pigeons living on Downing Street: Larry the Cat is alive and kicking... and biting.

A shiver ran down the spine of the United Kingdom on Saturday (August 21) night when it was reported that the country's favourite feline had died.

However, the 19-year-old tabby cat is not dead yet and is continuing to serve under Andy Burnham, his seventh Prime Minster, as No.10's Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office.

News aggregator account Politics UK reported that Larry had died on Saturday night, leading to a flood of condolences, but soon retracted their story.

Posting on X, Politics UK admitted and apologised for their error, writing: "Earlier tonight, we posted that Larry the Cat had died.

"We can confirm this is not the case. Our post was based on false information from a reliable source that had been hacked.

"Larry is still alive and well!"

But Larry didn't miss the chance to stick the paw in himself, with a post from the cat's official X account quoting Politics UK's apology and writing: "Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated..."

That disappointed squeaking you can hear is a rodent celebration coming to an early end.

There have been incorrect rumours about Larry's health before

It's not the first time that Larry's health has come into question and each time the rat-catcher has proved them wrong.

In 2023, The Sun reported that Larry had been in poor health for some time and that Downing Street staff were preparing for his death.

A Westminster source was quoted as saying: "No one wants to think the worst, but unfortunately we must prepare for it.”

However, a Downing Street spokesperson denied the speculation, telling ITV News: "I would say he is happy and healthy."

To which, Larry's X account posted: "I’m healthy, but you try being happy after living with five Tory Prime Ministers."

He's now onto his seventh, a record for Chief Mousers.

In 2024, a report in the Times revealed that Downing Street officials had prepared a 'media plan' to announce Larry's eventual passing.

A source reportedly said that a press release and graphics are “ready for the sad day he goes."

They have been gathering dust, though, as two years on, Larry is still going strong.

The life of Larry the Cat

Born a stray in 2007, Larry was adopted from Battersea Dogs & Cats home by Downing Street staff in 2011, initially as a pet for then Prime Minister David Cameron's children.

Yet, he soon impressed with his rat-catching prowess and has remained at No.10 long after Cameron and the six PMs to follow him since his resignation in 2016: Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir Starmer and now Burnham.

While the new No.10 North does not have a real cat, there is a cardboard cut out of Larry there.

He has served as Chief Mouser since 2011 and has shown off his successful kills to the world media on multiple occasions since, last being caught on camera with a rodent in his jaws on July 21, the day after Burnham took charge of the country.

The government website describes his responsibilities as: "Greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality.

"His day-to-day responsibilities also include contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house."

It's added that Larry is sent gifts and treats from the nation on a daily basis.

The role of Chief Mouser was first coined back in 1997, but it is a role that cats have undertaken for hundreds of years.

It goes all the way back to 1515 and the reign of Henry VIII, with cats being a near constant companion to the country's leader ever since.