The indefinite postponing of BBC fly-on-the-wall documentary The Scheme resulted in an inadvertent cliffhanger ending, with viewers left in the dark over the fate of Bullet the dog. 

The dog, a bull terrier owned by recovering drug addict Marvin Baird, has become a celebrity after being feature in the show. Facebook appreciation groups now have more than 10,000 members.

After last night's show, rumours circulated that the dog had actually died between the programme being filmed in 2009 and broadcast. A newspaper report found that the truth about the dog was in fact stranger and more dramatic.

The Daily Record reported that five-year-old Bullet, now known as Bullwinkle, is in fact in a new home in London, and has lost a leg during his adventures.

The dog was rounded up by community wardens in Kilmarnock and taken to the local police station after he was hit by a car while running free. He was taken to kennels in Mauchline where he was kept as a stray, before being taken in by the Dogs Trust who cared for him in Dumfries and treated his injuries.

However, he had to later have his leg amputated when he was moved to the Dogs Trust centre in Uxbridge. Despite this, he recovered well and was soon adopted by a new owner, and is enjoying his new life.

The paper also quoted Mr Baird saying he intends to try and recover Bullet. 

Mr Baird told the paper: "I always knew he was alive somewhere. Me and Bullet have an incredible bond and I knew he was alive.

"I will be making inquiries to get him back. If he has only been with new owners for a week then they won't have a proper bond with him. I think I should be allowed to meet him and if he goes to me instead of the new people I should get him back. If he goes to them I'll be happy that he is happy. Dayna and I could look after Bullet no problem." 

He added: "If we do get him back there will be none of this 'Bullwinkle' rubbish. That's just not right. It doesn't suit him."

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