Dom Littlewood films Dom Digs In at Cumbrian vets

Dom joins the team at Paragon Veterinary Group’s Dalston and Newbiggin centres for the new show, which screens next week.

Viewers will see Dom thrown in at the deep end, helping to pregnancy scan cows and treat a rescued hedgehog.

The series, called Dom Digs In, sees the presenter ­— famed for his work on TV shows such as Fake Britain and Cowboy Builders ­— try his hand at different frontline jobs.

As well as being a vet’s assistant, the TV frontman will also have a go at being a ferry worker, roadside mechanic and builder.

A spokesman for the show said: “Dom rolls up his sleeves in rural Cumbria, working alongside the veterinary surgeons who ensure that our farm animals and furry friends are healthy, no matter the circumstances.

“He learns why the health of our livestock is vital to keeping the country fed, helps to keep working animals like horses in tip-top condition, and assists the vets who provide round-the-clock care when our favourite companions are unwell.”

Paragon Veterinary Group managing director David Black, who lives near Dalston, is described as Dom’s mentor for the episode.

David has been a vet for 34 years and was recently awarded a fellowship to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

He said: “The series is about essential workers carrying on through Covid.

“Dom was fantastic and we really enjoyed doing it.”

Dom and a film crew spent two days at Paragon in October filming work in the farm, equine and small animal departments.

“We made him an animal care assistant for the day,” David recalled. “At the beginning I introduced him to the team and gave him his PPE clothing, and then it is quite fun at the end because I review his work and tell him how well he has done.

“He was brilliant at putting people at ease in front of the camera and picked things up really quickly.

“For someone who had no experience he was definitely prepared to muck in.”

During the programme, Dom also gets up close and personal with an animal he is frightened of, reveals David.

It was a chance for the celebrity to see firsthand the work that goes on practices such as Paragon, and he was full of praise for the staff.

“He told us he learned how dedicated vets are, and how professionally the teams care for animals,” David said. “It is a bit of a look behind the scenes at a genuine rural mixed vet practice, the people involved and the care and empathy and service that we try to deliver. I would like to think viewers have really had a look under the bonnet, as Dom isn’t interviewing us, he is hands on.”

n Dom Digs In is a 10-episode series, which runs from 11am every weekday on BBC One. It began on Monday and runs until next Friday.

The show featuring Paragon Veterinary Group is episode seven, and is due to be screened on Tuesday at 11am.