Small Animal Hospital

John Barrowman talks with the animals at Glasgow Uni’s vet school
Ben-Felsenberg-176The exigencies of TV sometimes throw up such extraordinary mismatches of presenter and subject that we may well scratch our heads and wonder if the invitation went to the wrong address (those who endured Joanna Lumley’s bizarre encounter with will.i.am will know exactly what I’m talking about). So you might be asking how being a soft-shoe shuffler and former Doctor Who co-star qualifies John Barrowman to preside over his very own James Herriot fantasy brought to life (Small Animal Hospital, Channel 4, Monday, 1.15pm). But as his tears well up after a black Labrador is brought into the veterinary hospital at Glasgow University, Barrowman rapidly proves he’s a genuine animal lover who’s willing to muck in on everything from profering the dog’s comfort toy to mopping up the liquid call of nature.

This truly is all creatures great and small. An irresistible litter of dalmatian puppies arrive to have their hearing tested (deafness is an all too common affliction for the breed) and Barrowman is a helplessly enthralled showman who jokingly declares they’ve brought out his inner Cruella. At the other extreme is Dudley, whose owners were surprised to discover that the micro-pig they’d thought they bought was not quite as billed after it ballooned into a 30-stone porker, now urgently requiring a diet and exercise regime before it outgrows their home.

All the pets receive first-class care: any Glaswegians dissatisfied with the local NHS could consider investing in an animal costume and presenting themselves for treatment by Barrowman’s chums.

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