Inside Yorkshire Vet's Peter Wright life from odd date with his now wife to career move

Vet Peter Wright from Channel 5's popular programme The Yorkshire Vet, has been a familiar face for many years. As an experienced vet and the protégé of the iconic James Herriot, he's earned respect and recognition through the docu-series.

Throughout the Channel 5 show, he collaborates with Julian Norton and the veterinary team to rescue animals and aid their recovery. Despite departing from Skeldale Veterinary Centre for fresh ventures, Peter continues to feature in the Channel 5 series.

Born and raised in Thirkleby, North Yorkshire, Peter was always drawn towards caring for animals. He pursued veterinary science at Liverpool University, graduating in 1982, and joined a veterinary practice the subsequent year, reports .

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Reflecting on his affinity for animals, Peter once shared with The Yorkshire Post: "My grandad was a farm manager and I used to go to the farm with him and I would befriend some of the animals being reared particularly the cattle. I always had a big interest in them and enjoyed feeding them. Being around farms and farmers felt very natural to me."

In 1996, the vet took his talents to Skeldale Veterinary Centre, joining forces with Alf White and Donald Sinclair, real-life muses for James Herriot's beloved characters James Herriot and Siegfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small.

With the comeback of Channel 5's The Yorkshire Vet, viewers will be intrigued about his interesting life off-screen, especially his romantic relationship with his wife Lin.

Peculiar first date with wife Lin

Peter and Lin had rather an unconventional first meeting. Lin disclosed: "We met at a joint work do, where my dentist's office mixed with the local vets on the same street. "

Their initial connection was instant, though somewhat bizarrely, their maiden outing as a couple involved an abattoir. Lin elaborated: "There was a spark straight away but, oddly for our first date, he took me to an abattoir.

"An old cow who couldn't be used for meat was being slaughtered. "Peter wanted to observe and work out what was wrong with the cow. I waited for him outside. It didn't get much better as it went on, really!"

Speaking to The Mail Online, Lin reminisced about Peter's peculiar choice of transport, an "old Ford Escort that stank of animals," noting how he attempted to conceal the animal odour with aftershave.

Family life

Their whirlwind romance saw them move in together after merely six weeks, leading to the birth of their daughter Emily, tying the knot, and then welcoming their son Andrew into the .

This year marks a milestone of 38 years of marriage for the pair, a union nearly as enduring as Peter's illustrious veterinary career. Prior to retirement, Lin was a constant presence at Skeldale as a receptionist, diligently handling emergency calls.

The family includes two adult children, 37-year-old criminologist Emily, and 38-year-old electrician Andrew, not forgetting their grandson Archie, aged 19.

Career move

Reflecting on a shift from his veterinarian path. Peter has bid farewell to Skeldale Veterinary Centre, marking what he describes as the "end of an era".

After dedicating 40 years to working at Skeldale, starting out under Alf Wright, the author of All Creatures Great And Small, Peter decided it was time for a new chapter.

In an interview with Express, Peter opened up about leaving Skeldale as the practice was taken over by Medivet. His journey from junior staff member to partner, and then senior partner, at the esteemed Yorkshire clinic allowed him to witness the company's evolution firsthand, but the change in ownership meant he could no longer pursue the work he cherished.

He reminisced: "I was there from being the new boy and then I gradually became (a) partner," further revealing his promotion to senior partner and his near two-decade stint managing the practice, all of which left him with many fond memories.

But Peter stressed the importance of his role as a mixed practitioner, stating: "But, at the same time, I am what is called a mixed practitioner. In other words, I deal with all creatures, all shapes and sizes."

His dedication to treating a range of animals, from livestock to the tiniest pets, faced an unwelcome roadblock: "From cows and horses down to hamsters.

"And to take the farm side away from me, you know, it had to stop because it wasn't economically viable anymore and I couldn't do that work anymore. But I had to continue what I loved and that is being a mixed practised vet."

Now, he continues his passion for veterinary medicine with Grace Lane Vets in Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, alongside making appearances on The Yorkshire Vet.

The Yorkshire Vet will air on Channel 5 tonight, from 8pm.