- I knew and loved the first two books as a teenager.
And going back to them I remembered why.
I mean they're extremely funny, beautifully written.
- I wasn't actually too familiar with the books before I auditioned.
But then since getting the part, I've read the first three which I think is sort of what we're taking a lot of for this first series of stories from.
- Let us take him to the library for his treatment.
We must preserve his dignity.
- When I first got the audition, I was aware of "All Creatures Great And Small."
And then I started reading the book.
I read the first book, and I fell in love with the world that Alf Wight created and all the characters and just very much wanted to be part of it from then on really.
- I think there's something about the space that he creates.
The emotion as well as the physical space that he creates in the books.
That makes you feel you're there.
It's very authentic.
- The books have sold 60 million world wide.
Alf Wight had to do these little sessions in between his vet work because he was so busy with people coming to you know get their book signed and to meet the man.
My uncle went along to one of those with his books.
Got them signed.
So he's got a full collection I'll say by Alf Wight .
So when I told them, and him in particular, you know, he was, yeah, yeah, very thrilled to say the least.
- I got through the first one and then took the second, on holiday with me to Croatia just before this job.
And I was actually just sat by the pool like reading these books and just laughing giggling out loud, you know.
One chapter it'll switch from that to something that is actually quite like sort of poignant inside and it just switches back and forth so amazingly and the language that he uses is incredible.
- Must have seen it a thousand times, never gets old.
- I'm a bit suspicious of the idea that young people, don't like things that old people like.
I think people like things for the same reasons on the whole, because they're funny and true and delightful.
(upbeat music)
