All Creatures Great and Small viewers fear for James Herriot after unexpected 'breakdown'

The finale of All Creatures Great and Small series five left viewers on edge for one character's wellbeing. The episode began with Tristan stepping in to assist his brother Siegfried with on-call visits, leaving James Herriot to manage the practice alone.

However, it soon became apparent that something was amiss with James as he started mixing up names.

During a conversation with Mrs. Pumphrey about her dog Tricki Woo, he began sweating heavily, complained about the heat, and started talking gibberish.

Upon hearing the commotion, his wife Helen Herriot entered the room, only for him to question who she was, reports .

As she took him upstairs, Channel 5 viewers discovered his temperature had soared over 100, and he lay in bed looking terrified and continuing to mumble nonsense.

Despite Helen explaining to Mrs Hall and Mrs Pumphrey that he was suffering from brucellosis, it was evident something else was troubling him.

Viewers took to to express their worries, with one saying: "James, you're going to regret making those comments to Mrs Pumphrey about Tricki Woo. But then you're clearly not yourself, are you?"

Another commented: "James is definitely having a mental breakdown. Maybe going dark with survivor guilt?"

A third posted: "A pudding of a dog? #ACGAS James you're a bit delirious, aren't you?"

"UMMMM WHATS WRONG WITH JAMES???!", exclaimed another viewer.

One fan noted: "James isn't himself."

Another added: "STOPPP I'M ACTUALLY CRYING poor James."

In the episode, it was evident that James began to relive his days as a war pilot, breaking down in tears.

He sobbed in his wife's arms, saying: "It's all my fault, I should've been there."

James was referring to his wartime crew, whose aircraft was shot down by three German planes. While one crew member remained critically injured in hospital, another tragically died on impact.

Clearly, James was burdened with guilt, knowing he could have been at the controls of the doomed aircraft.

During the episode, James apologised to his wife for causing her worry, before she revealed he had been talking about the friends he lost in the crash.

Speaking about one of the young men who died, James confessed: "I talked him into flying, I persuaded him that he was ready. I wasn't there when he needed me, I let him down, I let them all down."

The couple shared a poignant moment, highlighting the long road to healing that lies ahead for James.

All Creatures Great and Small is available to watch on My 5