Channel Five controller says Yorkshire has become part of its DNA

Ben Frow spoke about the impact Yorkshire has had on Channel Five's fortunes during a virtual Edinburgh Festival event in which he said 'Yorkshire is a part of Channel Five's DNA'.

Channel Five - which has thrown off its downmarket reputation in recent years thanks to new owners - broadcasts the new adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small, the Yorkshire Dales veterinary drama which joined a stable that already included 'rustic reality' shows such as Our Yorkshire Farm, The Yorkshire Vet and Yorkshire's Steam Railway.

Mr Frow revealed that Channel Five had swooped on the opportunity to remake All Creatures - which originally ran in the 1970s and 80s - after the BBC's response to the concept was lukewarm, as they feared it would not appeal to the youth market. Channel Five committed to full series as well as a pilot, and have been rewarded with their biggest hit since 2016.

An episode of Our Yorkshire Farm, which follows Clive and Amanda Owen as they juggle nine children with working a remote Dales sheep farm, even attracted more viewers than Line of Duty.

Yorkshire's Steam Railway offers a behind-the-scenes look at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, while Hull politician John Prescott recently presented Made in Yorkshire, investigating local produce such as Wensleydale cheese.

Channel Five commissioning editor Daniel Pearl also spoke to the Edinburgh Festival audience, and revealed that the 'escapism' of shows about the countryside, featuring beautiful scenery and close-knit rural communities, had touched a nerve during a time of upheaval and uncertainty. He praised Yorkshire's 'clear identity' as well as its impressive landscapes.

He also revealed that a concerted effort had been made by the channel to move away from US imports and commission British programmes that 'move the focus away from the London media bubble'.

Despite the BBC's misgivings, All Creatures has proved popular with all ages. Younger viewers are thought to have been attracted to its values of self-sufficiency and co-operation during lockdown. The programme's executive producer Sir Colin Callender echoed Pearl's views that the content offers 'respite' from the present and much-needed themes of family and friendship, as well as a sense of being connected to the land.

Screen Yorkshire chief executive Sally Joynson also contributed to the discussion, adding that Channel Five had found a 'sweet spot' with its rural Yorkshire output, and that the time was right to move away from industrial depictions of Yorkshire to focus on its countryside.

Issues over cast diversity were addressed during the debate, as it has been pointed out that period dramas set in Yorkshire are about predominantly white characters. All Creatures will feature a black character this series, but producers added that authenticity and inclusivity can be difficult to balance.