All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special cast as Dinnerladies star joins show

All Creatures Great and Small is returning to Channel 5 for a festive special, with Nicholas Ralph and Rachel Shenton reprising their roles as James and Helen Herriot. The emotional Christmas episode sees the Skeldale House residents trying to manage the pressures of Christmas Day during wartime.

James and Helen are also preoccupied with planning their son Jimmy's first birthday, with housekeeper Mrs Hall (Anna Madeley) playing a key role in all the arrangements. However, when she receives some distressing news about her son, everything is put on pause.

In the meantime, Tristan Farnon (Callum Woodhouse) is given an important mission by the Royal Army Veterinary Corps involving pigeons. Initially unimpressed, he follows Siegfried's (Samuel West) instructions.

Tristan's efforts to gain the trust of the pigeon handler don't go as planned. Meanwhile, Siegfried faces a tough decision between helping a fox in need and caring for Mrs Hall.

Here's everything you need to know about who's joining the cast for the Christmas special.

Christopher Taylor - Owen Phillips

Young Christopher arrives at Skeldale House with an injured fox, relying on Mrs Hall for assistance.

He is portrayed by Owen Phillips, a young actor recognised for his role as Wes Oldfield in The Dumping Ground.

His other acting credits include Dodger, Gentleman Jack, Casualty and Sackville Sutherland.

Enoch Sykes - Duncan Preston

Enoch Sykes is the pigeon handler who is extremely protective of his birds and hesitant to let Tristan assist.

Duncan Preston, at the ripe age of 78, continues to regale audiences with his acting prowess, renowned for his roles in classics like Acorn Antiques and Dinnerladies. His portfolio also boasts appearances in EastEnders and Surgical Spirit.

The gifted Callum Woodhouse couldn't resist expressing his admiration for one of his idols: "He was my favourite character in Dinnerladies, some of his one-liners, me and my mum always quote him."

He went on to share his enthusiasm about working with the English actor: "I had to tell him about how much of a fan I was. He was talking about working with Victoria Wood and Julie Walters and things like that.

"When you get to hear these incredible anecdotes from these wonderful actors, it was fantastic working with him."

Major Robertson – Adam Best

Adam Best carries the mantle of Major Robertson, known to many as the 41 year old Northern Irish talent behind Matt Parker from Holby City. Audiences may also recognize him from hits such as Silent Witness, The Bill and Waking the Dead.

Paddy Grainger – Elliot Franz

The show introduces Paddy Grainger, played by newcomer Elliot Franz, a figure shrouded in mystery. Similarly enigmatic is Jake Hayward's Duggins, though he comes with a background in notable TV series including Ackley Bridge, Emmerdale and Doctors.

Becky Simon steps into the shoes of Ethel Taylor, yet little has been revealed about her acting career so far.

Fans can take solace knowing that all the regulars will be back, including Tony Pitts as Helen's father Richard Alderson and Imogen Clawson playing her sister Jenny. And not forgetting the Pearson twins, Otto and Sullivan, who share the role of Jimmy.