The real Helen Alderson was not a farmer's daughter - a look inside her early life

All Creatures Great and Small is back on Channel 5 tonight, September 19, and season five kicks off with James Herriot (played by Nicholas Ralph) and his wife Helen (Rachel Shenton) navigating parenthood alongside a star-studded cast. James is away serving his time in the RAF while Helen is solo parenting, looking after their son Jimmy.

In the series, James' wife is the daughter of farmer Richard Alderson (Tony Pitts) and she helps him run Heston Grange. James first set eyes on Helen when he was called to her father's farm in season one.

Helen has always been proud of her work ethic on the farm and she continues to help out wherever she can, even with a new baby. Yet, the real-life wife of James Herriot was not a farmer's daughter at all.

The series was inspired by the real life of Yorkshire vet Alf Wight and his wife Joan Catherine Anderson Danbury. Joan was born in March 1919 in Gloucestershire to parents Horace and Laura.

Initially, she was interested in art and literature, and went on to study English literature at the University of Leeds. After graduating, she became a teacher of art and literature at a nearby local school.

Besides teaching, she showed a lot of interest in different welfare services for humans and animals. She also worked as a secretary in a Thirsk corn mill.

Joan and her husband spent much of their life in Thirsk, where James has set up his own veterinary practice.

She managed all administrative issues of the business and played a vital role in maintaining the welfare of the animals.

Joan and James Herriot lived a happy life together until James died in 1995.

After her husband's death, she continued her efforts to promote his literary legacy by managing events and scheduling interviews.

The couple married in November 1941 and had two children - James Alexander Wight, born in 1943 and Rosemary Wight, born in 1947.

All Creatures Great and Small returns tonight at 9pm