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All Creatures Great and Small has returned to Channel 5 for its sixth series, with the latest version following on from the beloved 1978 programme of the same title.

Originally broadcast on the BBC across seven series, the show was situated in the Yorkshire Dales during the mid-1930s.

Christopher Timothy took on the role of James Herriot, alongside Robert Hardy as Siegfried Farnon and Peter Davison as Tristan.

Whilst producer Bill Sellars had always envisioned Timothy in the James role, the final casting decision rested with his superiors.

Timothy was initially offered the part of Tristan, which he declined, before ultimately securing the lead role of James.

Christopher Timothy, now aged 85, last appeared on television in 2020 in an episode of Kate and Koji.

That same year saw him feature in Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators.

The father-of-seven, wed to Annie Swatton, has now stepped back from acting.

In 2024, he joined former co-star Peter Davison in sharing recollections of their time on All Creatures Great and Small with the BBC.

Timothy recalled encountering the real Alf Wight: "It was at least a week into filming, Robert Hardy and I were waiting for the rain to stop so we could shoot.

"Suddenly a voice in his soft, lilting Scottish accent, said 'Are you my alter ego?' That was the first introduction.

"First of all, he did have a pronounced Scottish accent, I remember my agent ringing up and saying 'I wonder what your Scottish accent is like?'

"And I remember my heart sank because it was non-existent, I didn't really know how to do a Scottish accent."

Fortunately, he was spared from attempting the accent as the show's makers preferred the character to have a "universal" appeal.

All Creatures Great and Small airs on Thursdays on Channel 5 at 9pm