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BBC adds another to the list of axed shows with Young James Herriot the latest victim.

Its turning out to be a tough month for actor Iain De Caestecker. Earlier this month it was announced by the BBC that the BBC Three drama “The Fades” starring Iain wouldn’t be returning after only one series. A second blow was announced with the news “Young James Herriot” the prequel to All Creatures Great And Small will also not be re-commissioned by the BBC for a full series.

The 3-part series was based on the All Creatures Great and Small books written by Alf Wright under the pseudonym James Herriot. The books went on to become one of the most popular TV series of the 70’s and 80’s. The new prequel which aired at the end of 2011 starred Iain as the young James Herriot in his days as a trainee vet at college in Glasgow, and attracted an audience of 6 million for episode one but had dipped to 4.3 million by episode two. The idea for the prequel came from Johnny Byrne, – a script editor on the original series who was convinced there were more stories to tell. Sadly Johnny Byrne died in 2008 while the show was still in development.

The drama also starred Amy Manson as Whirly Tyson and Ben Lloyd Hughes as Rob McAloon as James’ friends at college. Gary Lewis and Tony Curran played their professors.

A BBC Spokesman said: “Young James Herriot will not be coming back! It was a three-part event piece stripped across the week before Christmas.”

Young James Herriot is among a growing list of programmes that have been axed recently, including; Upstairs Downstairs, The Fades and ITV’s Wild At Heart to name a few.

It’s disappointing news to many. Personally I would have liked to have seen it return along with The Fades as both were high quality drama and Iain De Caestecker put in a brilliant performance in both roles.

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