The day before we speak with him, we watch as he conducts the delicate work of clearing out a dogs erm, sensitive end.
That's the beauty of cable channels showering us in the best of yesteryear television, writes Sammy Jones.
And All Creatures Great And Small, a gentle run through a veterinary practice of the 1930s, was one of the best series.
The books on which it was based were penned by British veterinary surgeon Alf Wight, who wrote under the name James Herriot.
And it was our interviewee, Christopher Timothy who portrayed him, becoming a small screen favourite in the process. This writer loved it. It was a special show.
“I think it was special too,” Christopher says, before relaying his first meeting with the man who produced the show.
“I was doing a television series and the producer died very sadly and had to be replaced – a fella called Bill Sellers came in. Very difficult for him, and for us.
“I asked him what his plans were beyond the series we were working on, and he said 'I'm trying to get the rights for the James Herriot books.'
Every book you saw being read on the train or the tube, or a bus was a James Herriot book. And people would be chuckling with laughter. I remember thinking 'If they get it right, this will be a smash, and thought there's bound to be some good parts in that...
It was an absolute bloody joy to do...”
And to watch.
Some of those animals looked a bit odd though – a particularly stunned looking cat stands out.
“Some were stuffed,” Christopher tells me. But I'm not sure this one was dead. Just, well, odd.
“I can say this now because Jack (Watkinson, the show's veterinary advisor) is no longer with us and he was a wonderful, wonderful guy and a very good vet.
"One day he showed me a directive from the veterinary society, saying 'Thou shalt not use anaesthetics in the furtherance of entertainment but the vet must use his discretion.'
"So I read that, saw Jack and said 'What are you doing? 'and he said “I am using my discretion.'
“Now the thing is, and this is a fact, all those people involved were very compassionate human beings, who loved animals. Nothing ever happened, no animal was harmed or died...”
But as marvellous as All Creatures was, it is a long time in the past for Christopher, although his current engagement – in the stage work Hobson's Choice – is even older.
“It was written in the 1880s, and first done in America in 1916. It's set in Lancashire in an industrial town called Salford and is a comedy, that the first thing,” Christopher says, setting the scene.
“It about a father with three daughters of marriageable age.
“It's about male chauvinism, about feminism and it is a definite social comment without doubt, and its full of things that I think will make the youngsters either say 'It wasn't like that was it?' or 'It wasn't really like that, was it?'
“Well actually, yes it was.”
Henry Horatio Hobson is a self-made man – but he's also a skinflint, a boozer and a tyrant to boot.
When his eldest daughter makes it clear she wants to marry – if not for love then certainly for her own determined purposes – a battle of wills commences that rocks the status quo.
The situation isn't helped by the fact that the man she has chosen to spend the rest of her life with is her own father's employee and the pair of them plan to set up a rival business.
Henry stands to lose much more than just the argument but can he bring himself to loosen the reins on his daughters or will he risk bankruptcy?
As we said, this year is the centenary of the work first being performed. But it is still capable of suckering an audience of any age, insists Christopher.
“Nothing has changed – people say children must know about the holocaust because that will stop it happening again, and you think 'Oh, yeah?'”
“I think it's one of the best plays ever written,” he declares.
“I was in a production at the National in the 60's when I was a wee lad and I played Mrs Hepworth's coachman, who doesn't speak. In fact in the written play, he doesn't exist. I watched all the rehearsals and it was fantastic.
“If I were to say 'It's a fabulous play come and see it,' the reaction is going to be 'But he's an old man now, he won't like what I like, or I won't like what he likes...' which of course is bullshit, they either will or they won't. It's a matter of choice.
“I'm sure there are some people who don't like Hobson's Choice, but I bet there aren't many.
Martin Shaw, a man who spent time rolling over cars and chasing criminals in The Professionals, while Christopher was busying himself with animal aid on the small screen, is Hobson.
“I play Jim Healer who is Hobson's confidante and best mate. Hobson is a great orator and there is a great fondness between them and they do seek advice from each other.
“Mostly it is Hobson seeking advice – his life is up and down and a bit wobbly, and Jimmy's seemingly isn't.”
Christopher talks about how touching the work is, and howe sweet, moving and sad it is.
“It runs the whole gamut and is so well written. It is so accurate and economic.
“Martin and I were saying the other day, it is so refreshing to have that sort of dialogue, and actually it is easier to learn than some of the stuff one is given to do.
“Simply because the better written something is, the easier it is to do. I'm not saying it is easy, but it is easier.
“I have two scenes, both with Martin. It is quite a small part. I am amazed that anybody wants to interview me about anything!” he says with a laugh.
“I was thrilled to be asked though. It is a lovely, lovely company...
“I like doing things that are well written and well directed and if possible with actors who are better than me...and that's not difficult to find, I have to say,” he laughs again.
“The better the people are working with you, the better you are. It's not a competition, it is not about being best, it is about being your best in a team.”
Hobson's Choice shows at MK Theatre from Monday (March 7) to Saturday (March 12).
Evening performances are at 7.30pm, with matinee showings on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm.
To book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
