Last Tango in Halifax and Happy Valley voted in top six of Yorkshire's greatest television shows of all time

In a major poll, conducted by Dalesman magazine to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of regional television in Yorkshire, viewers were asked to name their favourite show either set or made in the county.

Read: Sneak peek of upcoming Sally Wainwright drama set and filmed at Shibden Hall in new BBC trailerSally Wainwright hits Last Tango in Halifax and Happy Valley came fifth and sixth respectively after more than 3,000 votes were cast.

Period BBC veterinary drama All Creatures Great and Small was the runaway winner with Last of the Summer Wine, Heartbeat and Open All Hours just pipping the Calderdale shows to the post.

In an interview with Dalesman, Actor Christopher Timothy, who played James Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small, expressed delight that the drama had topped the poll, and said he had spoken to people who were considering a remake.

Read: Work to start in 2019 on smart motorway scheme from Brighouse to RochdaleHe said the long-running series remained much-loved thanks to the man he played on screen, Alf Wight, who was better known by his pen name James Herriot. The series endured, he said: “Because Alf Wight was first and foremost a great storyteller, bottom line, he told great stories. From all the interesting people Alf had spoken to from all over the country, particularly vets, Alf wrote their stories down. His stories are universal, they’re about real people in real situations, they are written of a time when it was seemingly gentler, easier and less violent. That is what it feels like, people in my generation still hold on to those values and are glad how the series was portrayed.

“Alf Wight was remarkable, and I keep in touch regularly with his children Rosie and Jim, I love them dearly and I owe them. I am very proud and honoured to be associated with the programme and delighted it was and still is so popular. It was one of the most magnificent opportunities any actor could be given.”

Dalesman carried out the poll to mark fifty years of regional television in Yorkshire. 1968 was a landmark year for TV in the county. It was the year that saw the birth of Yorkshire Television and its famous Leeds Studios, along with the first editions of rival regional news programmes Look North and Calendar.

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