The Yorkshire Vet returns tonight with emotional special as stars issue warning

The Yorkshire Vet is returning to screens this evening (Thursday, August 13), and fans will be left feeling emotional. The beloved series, which has been airing since 2015, notably follows Peter Wright and Julian Norton as they attend to animals in need at their practices in North Yorkshire. The wait for new episodes is now over, as season 23 is set air tonight at 8pm on Channel 5, starting with a very special episode.

The first instalment will see much-loved star Peter open a memorial garden for pets lost over the years. In a new trailer for the series, a voiceover teased: "Across Yorkshire's moors and dales, James Herriot's work established him as the world's most famous vet. Just as he'll always be remembered, so will the animals we love. The Yorkshire Vet team who follow in Herriot's footsteps, and other like-minded souls who spend every day helping animals, are coming together for a mission born out of passion."

It continued: "They've always guided pet owners through the toughest times. Now, they want to help them move on when their four-legged friends are gone, with the vision of spreading their message far and wide, because devotion to all creatures great and small lasts forever."

Cameras follow Peter as he embarks on a passion project to make a dream come true. It takes him to Sussex to meet the country's first animal chaplin and her church's pets memorial garden, which inspires him to create something similar back in Yorkshire.

Peter decides to set up the memorial garden at the World of James Herriot in Thirsk, which is home to several props from the hit drama All Creatures Great and Small.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Express, Peter explained why he wanted to explore the concept of pet grief. He said: "For years, I've considered people. I've always tried to put myself, as a veterinary surgeon, into our client's shoes. When they come in to have an animal put to sleep, and I've used this phrase many times, that I suppose you would call it anticipatory grief.

"You know what's coming as a pet owner. You can prepare yourself, but you're never ready for it. I think of those people going back home again. They left home with their pet that day, they're going back home now to a house that's not a home anymore. It's soulless. Even if you have other pets there, they've lost that particular one."

Peter added: "For the memorial garden, the very first one that we've put up is at the World of James Herriot in Thirsk. We have some plaques on the wall, and there's the statue of James Herriot, Alf Wight, there, and people can just go and sit quietly in an area of the garden that is relatively isolated. They can just go and sit there with their memories, and I think that's very important."

Cannon Hall farmers Rob and Dave will also honour their late shire horse, Herkules, during the episode. They previously warned viewers on Instagram: "Have your tissues ready for the upcoming new series of @yorkshirevetc5 - we appear on the special episode on Thursday (August 13) with a very special tribute to our shire horse Herkules."

Rob previously announced Herkules' death to devastated fans on Facebook, writing: "It's really difficult to take in, heartbreaking is an easy word to say, but we just can't believe it. He had everything going for him. I never thought we'd have an animal like him."

The Yorkshire Vet returns tonight (Thursday, August 13) at 8pm on Channel 5