All Creatures Great and Small fans emotional as characters killed off in heartbreaking James Herriot scene

Viewers of 'All Creatures Great and Small' were left feeling emotional on Thursday night as they witnessed the beloved character James Herriot, brought to life by actor Nicholas Ralph, return to their screens in a context far removed from the cosy confines of Skeldale and the presence of his wife Helen (played by Rachel Shenton), due to his role in the war as a pilot.

The narrative took an emotional turn when James became sick, consequently rendering him unable to fulfil his duties as a wartime pilot. He found solace and purpose while working on a farm, where he was seen assisting with the birth of a calf.

James' illness also prevented him from attending what would have been his first "active mission", flying to Scotland. Despite being away from the fellow pilots he trained with, tragic news soon reached him.

In a devastating twist, the pilot who took James's place was killed after their plane was targeted by three German aircrafts, and two of his comrades were also killed in the conflict.

The show delivered particularly poignant scenes as an anguished James was informed of the dire events that unfolded. As narrated by his officer: "They were halfway back when three German planes came out of nowhere. Our boys were shot down over the North Sea. The pilot didn't stand a chance," reports the Express.

Grasping the stark reality of the circumstances, James contemplated his own mortality, realising he could have been among those lost, leaving him to sombrely inquire: "Were there any survivors?"

The officer revealed that although they managed to pull one survivor from the wreckage, his condition remained critical. Following an enquiry about a fellow companion, the downcast officer had to break the news: "He died on impact, I am