The Earth-Shattering Statement From Peter Wright About The Yorkshire Vet And All Creatures Great And Small

It’s hard to believe, but The Yorkshire Vet has now been on our screens for 10 whole years. Since first airing on Channel 5, it has delivered everything from emotional rescues to laugh-out-loud moments, all set against the stunning Yorkshire countryside.

But here’s the wild part… Peter Wright almost deleted the show from his life before it ever began. And now, a decade later, he’s revealed a jaw-dropping truth about the show’s impact on British TV, one that genuinely changes how we see Yorkshire television.

From deleted emails to international fame

The whole thing nearly didn’t happen. When the production company first emailed Peter asking if he’d appear in a new vet show, he simply hit delete.

Peter explained:
"I thought, ‘Well, no’ and deleted the email. I didn’t even really look at it."

Weeks later, another email came, and he ignored that too.

Thankfully the producers were persistent. After a face-to-face meeting with the managing director (who Peter said had an “honest face”), he finally agreed. Still unconvinced, he told his wife Lin that nobody would watch it.

Lin’s response was perfect:
"It’s not about you, it’s about the patients."

Fast-forward 10 years:

• 22 series
• 250 episodes
• Broadcast in 18 countries worldwide
• Millions of loyal viewers

Peter has even been recognised by Australian tourists at the Taj Mahal. Not bad for a show he once thought would flop.

Why the show captured the world’s heart

Peter believes the magic of The Yorkshire Vet comes from a perfect blend of:

• Yorkshire’s stunning scenery
• Dry local humour
• Warmth and friendliness of the people

And, of course… the animals, the real stars of the show.

The stories range from heartwarming to downright bizarre. Some unforgettable moments include:

• A bulldog injured during a romantic encounter with a hedgehog
• Matt Jackson-Smith removing a goat’s testicles
• Julian Norton treating a donkey named Gary with a huge cyst
• Adorable lambs, powerful rescues, and chaos-filled farm calls

It’s the mix of emotion, humour, and unpredictability that keeps viewers obsessed.

The cast still can’t believe the show’s success

Even the vets themselves are regularly stunned by how big the show has become.

Matt Jackson-Smith

He didn’t watch the show until his grandmother told him to. Later, he found himself being recognised, on honeymoon in Mauritius.

A legacy tied to James Herriot

The show is filmed at the legendary Skeldale Veterinary Centre in Thirsk, the original practice of James Herriot, author of All Creatures Great and Small.

That connection to Yorkshire veterinary heritage gives the series a sense of history that both fans and filmmakers adore.

The ‘earth-shattering statement’ that connects two beloved shows

Here it is, the moment that truly blew fans away.

Peter Wright revealed a huge truth told to him by Ben Frow, Channel 5’s head of programmes:

“There would have been none of these programmes if Yorkshire Vet had failed, including All Creatures Great and Small.”

Let that sink in.

If The Yorkshire Vet hadn’t succeeded, Channel 5’s love affair with Yorkshire might never have taken off. That means:

• No reboot of All Creatures Great and Small
• No surge of Yorkshire-based factual programmes
• No modern celebration of Herriot-style stories

Peter added:
"If we’d failed, it would have been the end of that love affair. We wouldn’t have all these wonderful programmes."

That single show, once nearly deleted from Peter’s inbox — ended up reshaping British countryside television.

A Yorkshire success story that changed British TV

What started as a doubtful email became:

• A global TV hit
• A revival of Yorkshire-centred storytelling
• A gateway to new programmes loved across the nation

The Yorkshire Vet didn’t just entertain millions, it protected Yorkshire’s place on the British TV map and paved the way for more iconic countryside dramas and documentaries.

A decade on, Peter Wright’s “earth-shattering statement” proves that sometimes the biggest cultural shifts begin with the smallest decisions… like finally opening an email.