Peter Wright, the beloved star of Channel 5's The Yorkshire Vet, has made a candid admission about his career during a special episode this week. The 69-year-old veterinarian, who has been a fixture on the show since its launch in 2015, shared his thoughts on night work and his departure from Skeldale Veterinary Centre.
Peter Wright on Night Shifts
In the one-off special titled The Yorkshire Vet: Night Shift, which aired on Thursday, May 14, Peter appeared briefly at the start of the episode before handing over to the night shift team at Grace Lane Vets in Kirkbymoorside. He remarked: "I must admit, night work is something I used to enjoy, because people don't call you out late at night unless they have an emergency. So, it was always going to be something that would test you. And I think I'm beyond those days now really. It's always better left to the younger ones. They have far more energy than I have these days. So, on that note, I think I'm going home for my tea."
Departure from Skeldale Veterinary Centre
This admission follows Peter's decision to leave Skeldale Veterinary Centre in Thirsk in 2021, where he had worked for 40 years. He relocated to Grace Lane Vets after Skeldale was acquired by Medivet. Peter explained to the Express that the takeover led to changes that prevented him from pursuing farm work, which he was passionate about. "To take the farm side away from me, it had to stop because it wasn't economically viable anymore and I couldn't do that work anymore," he said. "Skeldale was the love of my life, but it became uneconomical to continue doing farm work."
Other Highlights from the Special Episode
The episode also featured a spaniel rushed in with a serious injury after a freak accident during a woodland walk, and an angry fighting cat injured in a late-night scrap. Julian Norton, Peter's fellow veterinarian, helped volunteers in Thirsk protect a group of ducks that journey from the riverbank to the town centre each night. Farm vet David Melleney was called out to a difficult lambing, successfully delivering one healthy lamb, though another newborn did not survive after a breech birth.
The Challenges of Night Work
David Melleney also opened up about the gruelling nature of night shifts, stating: "You never really get used to it. You do adapt, but getting called out of the house or out of bed is a big tax on your lifestyle and your sleep. But emergencies can happen at any time. Farming's a 24/7 gig and so is being a vet, I'm afraid."
The Yorkshire Vet and The Yorkshire Vet: Night Shift are both available to stream on Channel 5.
