All Creatures Great and Small actor Samuel West has shared a candid update about the bittersweet feelings he has towards the show’s Christmas Special after losing both parents within a year.
The Siegfried Farnon star revealed his father, actor Timothy West and mother, actress Prunella Scales, were big fans of the Channel Five period drama.
While the latest series of the Yorkshire Dales-based show wrapped up in October, it was confirmed recently that another Christmas Special would be coming to screens again this year.
Mr West, 59, talked candidly about the upcoming episode as well as the loss of both of his parents.
Samuel West’s parents both died in the last year
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GETTY
His father died last November at the age of 90, while his mother died last month at 93.
Fans have been looking forward to the show returning to screens, with the cast also eagerly awaiting updates on the famous vet and the All Creatures Great and Small family.
Speaking on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain, Mr West shared how the festive period will also be tinged with sadness for him.
He told presenter Ed Balls: “We filmed in the middle of June! On the hottest day of the year, pretending to be freezing, a lot of drooping Christmas trees.
Samuel West in All Creatures Great and Small
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CHANNEL 5
“The only sadness is that that was a regular television-watching date with my parents.
“We used to sit on the sofa and see it together, that won’t happen this year.”
Host Susanna Reid sympathised: “It’s so hard to lose one parent,” before the actor noted that people are supposed to bury their parents.
He continued: “The thing I’m noticing is the really simple stuff, like… When they die you won’t see them again.
Samuel West reflected on his parents’ deaths
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ITV
“You think you understand what that means, and then they die, and you realise you don’t. It’s all a work in progress, really.”
Ms Scales had been best-known for playing the role of Sybil Fawlty in beloved comedy series, Fawlty Towers.
In October, it was revealed the actress had died following a battle with dementia, with her family surrounding her at her London home.
In a joint statement, Mr West and his brother Joseph stated at the time: “Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home.
Timothy and Samuel West in 2011
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GETTY
“She was watching Fawlty Towers the day before she died.
“We would like to thank all those who gave Pru such wonderful care at the end of her life: her last days were comfortable, contented and surrounded by love.”
Nicolas Ralph, who plays renowned veterinary surgeon James Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small, gave some insight into what fans can expect from this year’s Christmas Special.
The festive instalment explores the complexities of celebrating Christmas in 1945, as the characters grapple with expectations surrounding their first holiday season since the war ended.
Speaking to Radio Times, Mr Ralph reflected: “The enormity of it is not just going to go away overnight.
“It’s not all singing and dancing and everything’s merry all of a sudden,” concluding: “People are still struggling.”