James Herriot’s real family life explored from ship plater father to singer mother

All Creatures Great and Small has returned to Channel 5, with James Herriot (portrayed by Nicholas Ralph) eagerly anticipating his parents’ visit for Jimmy’s Christening. However, Helen (played by Rachel Shenton) is less excited due to her strained relationship with her mother-in-law.

The beloved family drama draws its inspiration from the literary works of real-life Yorkshire vet, Alf Wight, who wrote under the pseudonym James Herriot. His characters are all based on actual individuals he worked with and held in high regard.

In the show, James’s parents, Hannah and James Herriot Senior, are portrayed by Gabriel Quigley and Drew Cain. Hannah is quick to critique Helen’s parenting skills.

Conversely, James’s father remains detached regarding the tense relationship between his wife and daughter-in-law. The actual James Herriot was born in October 1916 to James and Hannah Bell.

Shortly after their wedding, the couple relocated from Sunderland to Glasgow in Scotland, where James found employment as a ship plater and cinema pianist. Hannah pursued careers in singing and dressmaking, reports .

For Alf’s birth, his mother travelled back to Sunderland, returning to Glasgow with him when he was merely three weeks old.

His father instilled in him a love for Sunderland Football Club, a passion he maintained throughout his life.

Alf was an only child, and at the age of 12, he was allowed his first pet- a dog named Don, to whom he became deeply attached.

The Real Yorkshire Blog shed light on the background, saying: “Alf grew up in Glasgow. It was at a time of depression his father was frequently in and out of work and his mother developed a dress-making business.

“They were respectable working class. Alf was an only child and wanted for nothing.

“They managed to send him to the fee-paying Hillhead School in Glasgow as well as paying for his veterinary education.”