UK’s oldest silverback gorilla and TV star dies aged 42

THE UK’s oldest silverback gorilla — a star of kids’ TV — has died aged 42.

Pertinax became a celebrity after his role as Hank in CBBC mockumentary The Zoo.

He was put to sleep at Paignton Zoo, Devon, after failing to respond to treatment for an underlying illness.

An online condolence book was set up for fans of the gentle giant.

The zoo said: “We feel incredibly privileged to have cared for Pertinax for nearly three decades.

“He was one of a kind and his loss will be felt deeply by our community — especially by his keepers who knew him best.”

Pertinax — named after a Roman emperor — was born in Germany and sent to Paignton in 1997.

Silverback is the name given to a dominant gorilla — and in 2006 Pertinax became a mentor to young males Kionodo, Kivu and N’Dowe.

When the boisterous trio grew up, Pertinax was moved to an island enclosure to “retire”.

Western lowland gorillas like him can live to 50.

The zoo added: “He’d spend his days leisurely exploring his island.

“He discovered a love for music and formed a close bond with his keepers who would sing for him.”