Matt Lucas was so busy teaching his dog some new tricks he didn't spot the sign telling him to keep it on a lead.

The lonely Little Britain star, who split from "husband" Kevin McGee last month, took their chocolate labrador for a walk in Paddington Street Garden yesterday.

He and Mr McGee apparently have joint custody of the mutt and have walked it together since the break-up.

Dog days: A sad Matt Lucas stands in a London park as his dog stretches his legs

Photographs of Mr McGee, 31, holding hands with a mystery man emerged yesterday.

And it seems that Lucas, 33, was getting his own back as he met a male friend in the park and shared a joke with him while teaching the lab to jump for sticks.

Lucas, who returned to the UK from America with co-star David Walliams on Friday, "married" Mr McGee in a civil partnership two years ago.

Making friends: Matt Lucas chats to an unidentified male in the park

They spent periods apart while Lucas worked in the US.

The split was said to be amicable and they were seen together a week later having a sombre conversation over a coffee.

Lucas spent time in LA earlier this month with Walliams as they promoted their new TV show Little Britain USA, which will screened on HBO and BBC America.

'Sit': Matt, who shares custody of the dog with ex-partner Kevin McGee, trains his pooch in the park