Samuel West Reveals How Birdwatching Helped Him Cope with Loss of Famous Parents
Samuel West, renowned for his role as vet Siegfried Farnon in Channel 5's All Creatures Great and Small, has spoken candidly about managing grief following the deaths of his celebrated parents, Prunella Scales and Timothy West. In a heartfelt interview, the actor shared that he would "give anything for one hour" with them, highlighting the profound impact of their passing.
A New Role in Nature and Reflection
While West has starred in numerous acclaimed British television dramas and films, he is now embracing a different kind of role—presenting a wildlife programme. Alongside Adrian Edmondson, who is married to Jennifer Saunders, he travels through Cornwall, Norfolk, and Somerset in search of stunning birds for the new Channel 5 series Sam & Ade Go Birding, which premiered this week. West believes his parents would have appreciated this venture, noting it aligns with his mother's interests.
"I think they would like it," West told the Daily Express. "She introduced me to the novel Swallows and Amazons and to big walks in the woods. The fact I spend a good amount of time in nature would please her." He also recalled how his father supported his birdwatching passion, buying him a telescope for his birthday, which sparked his deeper involvement in the hobby in his 40s.
Therapeutic Birdwatching Amidst Grief
Birdwatching has proven particularly therapeutic for West as he processes the loss of his mother, who passed away in October at age 93, and his father, who died in November 2024 at age 90. Poignantly, an episode filmed in Norfolk was recorded just one week after Prunella Scales' death. West was birdwatching on the Isle of Scilly with his long-term partner, Laura, and their two daughters when he received the news.
"I was on St Agnes," he recalls. "Our children were the most Westerly children in Britain at the moment their grandmother died. Being in Norfolk after my mum's death was special. She always believed the show must go on, and she would have wanted me to film it." He found comfort in filming with Edmondson, whom he knew would be sensitive to the situation.
Moments of Serenity and Perspective
During filming, a poignant moment occurred when pink-footed geese flew over a church in Norfolk as West discussed death and parents. "It was the most extraordinary moment. You couldn't have planned it," he said. As an ambassador for the RSPB, West emphasizes that immersing himself in nature has helped him process grief. "There is something about getting out in the world that is not human and immersing yourself in it. It helps put your own personal problems into perspective," he explains.
West acknowledges the privilege of having his parents' work preserved, allowing him to revisit their legacy. "I'd give anything for an hour with them now. You want to share things with them," he confides. "But I am in a very privileged position. An awful lot of my mother and father's work is available."
Sam & Ade Go Birding is available to stream on Channel 5, offering viewers a glimpse into West's journey of healing through nature.
