All Creatures Great and Small fans in tears at 'heartwarming' reunion

What did you miss?

All Creatures Great and Small fans were left sobbing at the show's return as James Herriot came home from war to an emotional reunion with his wife and baby.

Vet James, played by Nicholas Ralph, had been posted away from the Dales during World War II while his wife Helen (Rachel Shenton) struggled to find her feet as a new mum. So viewers were delighted to see his "heartwarming" homecoming as season five got under way.

Fans of the Channel 5 drama welcomed it back to screens, calling it "the hour of escapism we all need".

What, how, and why?

Cosy drama All Creatures Great and Small offered an even more feel-good than usual start to season five with James Herriot returning from the war for an emotional reunion with wife Helen and their baby son.

Dales vet James (Nicholas Ralph) had been posted away from home, leaving Helen (Rachel Shenton) trying to get to grips with parenthood alone.

But after viewer pleas for him to come back, the episode offered a tearjerking scene as James left behind the horrors of World War II for the warm embrace of his family.

One fan wrote: "Great james is home. Wonderful and heartwarming." Someone else agreed: "Beautiful episode! So great to have James back! Now all we need is our cheeky Tristan home and then our family will be whole again."

Read more: All Creatures Great and Small

• All Creatures Great and Small fans emotional as characters killed off in heartbreaking James Herriot scene (Manchester Evening News, 3 min read)

• All Creatures Great and Small fans 'crying' after tragic death in heartbreaking James Herriot scenes (Wales Online, 2 min read)

• All Creatures Great and Small's James Herriot 'hiding something' from wife Helen (Manchester Evening News, 2 min read)

The scene brought many viewers to tears as one commented: "Cried .. and so did my husband ..such gorgeous, emotional tv .. I could watch it all day long x"

Another person wrote: "What a moment," as someone else added: "Took my breath away!" "My tissues are out already!!" shared someone else.

One international fan added: "I’m sneaking a peak at work & bawling my eyes out watching this. I can’t wait until til we can see it here in the US!"

However, there was tragedy behind his return as the pilots he had been stationed alongside had been killed while out on a flight, with James making a lucky escape with his life.

What else have All Creatures Great and Small fans been saying about the show's return?

James' return isn't the only part of the drama that leaves fans with a warm and fuzzy feeling, as they agreed that its new season had brightened up their Thursday evenings.

One person commented: "I have never found a sweeter, more comfortable, polite and kinder series like this one #AllCreaturesGreatAndSmallCapable of conveying so many emotions simply by talking about daily life and the importance of family, in whatever way it is formed."

Another fan wrote: "Have been looking forward to this all year and it was worth the wait. My favourite TV show with great story lines the perfect cast. Nobody could do this better -I’m so happy you are back."

Someone else agreed: "The best programme on TV in years, and the only one I still enjoy watching in the 'old fashioned way' of one episode and week instead of binge watching. It's just delightful, and something to look forward to."

Another person added: "Finally.. The hour of escapism we all need, every Thursday in the run up to Christmas.. The return of All Creatures Great and Small. Welcome back to Darrowby."

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