Samuel West's romantic journey from brief split to children with famous playwright

All Creatures Great and Small made its anticipated return to Channel 5, featuring Samuel West's character, Siegfried Farnon, and James Anthony-Rose's Richard Carmody, who visited Miss Grantley, depicted by Juliet Aubrey. Although Siegfried attended to her ailing goats, he appeared more interested in forging a personal bond with her.

Carmody quickly picked up on Siegfried's interest in Miss Grantley and spurred him on to strengthen their rapport, much to the potential dismay of viewers hoping for sparks between Siegfried and Mrs Hall, played by Anna Madeley.

Off-screen dynamics are just as intriguing, with actor Samuel West sharing his life with notable playwright Laura Wade since 2007, despite a brief split in 2011. In a candid interview with The Guardian that same year, Samuel expressed a desire for family: "I would very much like my own family, but I would prefer not to say if I've got close to it. When you run a theatre, as I have done in the past, it becomes your baby."

He continued reflecting on his relationship with Wade, noting, "I've lived with the playwright Laura Wade, and the combination of writer and actor was a good mix. But I love being an uncle to [his brother] Joe's children; I take that responsibility very seriously."

In a career twist intertwining their professional lives, Samuel landed a role in The Riot Club, the film adaptation of Wade's acclaimed play, Posh, in 2013.

The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in 2014 and added another daughter to their family in 2017.

Sharing life moments humorously on social media, Samuel tweeted a picture holding his newborn with the quip: "Number Two yesterday. Oh, and our second daughter was born."

He exclaimed: "As I said last time, the most extraordinary, ordinary thing. I'm dumbfounded. Again."

His romantic escapades can be traced back to 2004, entwined then with journalist Kate Reardon.

The liaison lasted nearly a year with Tatler's former fashion editor at his side.

Audiences are left in suspense, wondering if Siegfried's courtship with Miss Grantley will flourish as All Creatures Great and Small progresses.

All Creatures Great and Small airs on Channel 5 on Thursdays at 9pm