All Creatures Great And Small

Channel 5, 9pm

We’re back in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales as the charming drama adapted from the memoirs by James Herriot returns for a third series.

Yet the idyllic escapism is now marred by global conflict, for the year is 1939 and once far-away matters in Europe are making themselves felt. ‘How can I in good conscience stay here while those men go off to war?’ asks James (Nicholas Ralph) of his new wife Helen (Rachel Shenton), both right, centre – but the authorities decide that his duties as a vet are more important.

Which means he must deal with the unpredictable edicts of his senior colleague Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West, near right) in between tending to the animals in the area – from a crisis among local cattle to a vomiting dog. A welcome return for one of the most pleasing and dependable shows around. ★★★★★