All Creatures Great and Small's Samuel West: ‘My dad Timothy West gives me acting notes’

ok.co.uk:

The tinsel is up at Skeldale House, for another episode of All Creatures Great and Small, and after three Christmas specials, the show has fast become a festive staple.

Samuel West, who plays vet Siegfried Farnon, admits he saves the December episode for when he goes home to see his parents, actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales. “I don't get as many notes from them as I used to,” jokes Samuel. “It's mostly about my dad wondering when we're going to invite him to be in the show.

After last year’s episode he put a hand on my knee and said, ‘terrific’.” With both Tristan Farnon and James Herriot away at war, not everyone is in the mood for celebrating at Skeldale.

However that doesn’t stop Mrs Hall from putting on a Christmas Day spread to remember for Seigfried, Helen Alderson and newcomer Richard Carmody. “We have a community Christmas this year,” says Anna Madeley who plays Mrs Hall. “We’re having Christmas lunch in The Drovers, our lovely local pub for which we have had a new set built which is beautiful and amazing and very exciting - and there's a large goose!” The cast filmed the special episode in summer of this year, but admit they get into the Christmas spirit quite easily. “I think the droopy Christmas tree in mid-June is what gets me into the mood now,” laughs Samuel. “Skeldale house is decorated beautifully which helps,” adds Rachel Shenton, who plays Helen. “And there were Quality Street in little bowls around the house as well, which I found useful.” Rachel spends a lot of the Christmas special sitting down in Skeldale house as her character, Helen, is very close to her due date. “Helen is missing James desperately,” says Rachel.