“A Legacy That Heals”: Jim Wight Reflects on His Father James Herriot’s Impact in Yorkshire Great and Small
The beloved series Yorkshire Great and Small with Dan and Helen is set to tug at viewers’ heartstrings as Jim Wight, son of the iconic author James Herriot, makes a heartfelt appearance. The show, hosted by Helen Skelton and Dan Walker, takes audiences on a journey through Yorkshire’s rich history, exploring the county’s captivating heritage.
In tonight’s episode, Helen retraced the steps of the celebrated vet and writer James Herriot, whose legacy continues to inspire. Herriot, who dedicated 50 years to his veterinary practice, also became a prolific author whose work inspired the beloved TV series All Creatures Great and Small. First adapted into a film in 1975, the story was later turned into a cherished BBC series before Channel 5 revived it in 2020, much to the delight of fans, according to the Express.
During a candid conversation with Jim Wight, Helen reflected on the enduring impact of his father’s work. “Your dad, his work has gone on and on and been reincarnated, hasn’t it?” she said. Jim responded with enthusiasm, “Oh yes. One of the greatest legacies he had was that people wrote to him,” he shared, as reported by The Mirror.
Jim went on to discuss the profound effect his father’s writing had on readers: “Having read his books, they said it made them feel better. People on hard times, people depressed, people still send letters to my sister and I almost 30 years after his death to say reading his books are therapeutic.” His words highlighted the comfort and solace James Herriot’s stories have brought to generations.
Both of Herriot’s children have expressed their support for the Channel 5 adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small, which aims to bring their father’s stories to a new audience. Jim has previously remarked, “I hope and believe this could be a breath of fresh air to the population at the moment. Would my father have approved of it? Oh, I think so.”
His sister, Rosie, also voiced her enthusiasm for the modern adaptation, emphasizing the importance of introducing Herriot’s work to a new generation. “We feel that there is a very big generation gap between those brought up with Herriot and those who have never heard of him, and we think there is a whole new generation who has never read those wonderful books,” she noted.
“They are animal books, but they are predominantly about people and their animals. Not just the animals. Dad was a great observer of people, and in his books, he is never really the star part. He is observing the farmers and the wonderful characters that he had the great good fortune to be able to write about—like Tristan and Siegfried, who you couldn’t make up.”
With Jim and Rosie’s heartfelt reflections, Yorkshire Great and Small continues to celebrate the timeless impact of James Herriot’s stories, reminding audiences of the enduring bond between people and their animals.