FANS of All Creatures Great and Small have been left in floods of tears after a heart-wrenching Christmas special.
Season four of the drama has seen James Herriot tending to animals for the army during World War Two.
The Yorkshire vet was desperate to get away from the fighting and be home with his wife Helen Alderson as she reached the final stages of her pregnancy.
In scenes aired last night on Channel 5 he was distracted from his duties at the RAF base after Helen got in touch with the sad news that she would not be able to visit him for Christmas as the baby could come any day.
He decided to make a break for it and tried to flee the base to go home and be with her, but was caught before reaching Skeldale.
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James was marched back in disgrace, leaving his pregnant wife alone during the festive day.
The devastating scenes took a more positive turn as he decided to put his mind to curing the RAF training mascot, a bird called Georgie.
After his success with the winged animal he was allowed two days' leave, and rushed home just as Helen went into labour.
James was left tearful as he arrived at the house to find his wife in recovery from childbirth and got to meet his baby boy for the first time.
Fans broke down after watching the emotional episode, and took to X with their reactions.
One person shared: "Well you've made me blub so I guess that's a success. Happy Christmas. More next year please!"
Another agreed: "Not a dry eye in the house."
A third cried: "Well that's me in bits."
One viewer gushed: "Tonight’s programme changes emotions minute by minute. Sad, happy, emotional, hysterical. Fantastic writing."
