A rescued goat who is living his best life in a special sanctuary in Saddleworth has made his big TV debut on a hit Channel 5 show.
Hilary Harry and Friends Wildlife Rescue Centre in Diggle is considered home to more than 300 animals, many of whom have been saved from slaughter or who have been brought in sick, injured or on the brink of death.
The farm is run by Gemma Dumbill and her helpers, notably, daughter Annabell, with a mission to provide a safe haven and a forever home to animals who have barely survived the worst.
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts
While the sanctuary hit headlines just last month for taking in two geese who had Oldhamers in a 'wild goose chase' for a few days, it has now made it to TV screens across the country - this time thanks to their one-year-old goat, Dexter.
In a new episode of Channel 5's The Yorkshire Vet, film crews visited the farm and were greeted by a charge of wings, hooves and trotters.
Speaking to the camera, Gemma said: "Each morning, we open the door and it's like a stampede with all sorts of birds and goats, running out for their breakfast."
The clip showed dozens of chickens, geese and goats running out of a barn.
Gemma continued: "We have so many, all rescues.
"We've got everything from pigs to sheep, goats, horses, birds, lots of birds.
"If anyone rings up and says, 'Can you give this animal a home' or 'it's injured', we will say yes and we will try our best with it."
The show followed the short story of a rescued black and white goat, called Dexter.
Dexter had been saved from going to slaughter, alongside his pal Rupert, in January 2023 at the age of six months old.
The sanctuary said the pair were so little when they first arrived but have now "grown up into very mischievous, naughty goats" who love to escape from their field, steal food from other animals and play 'knock-a-door run' on the house.
Now at the age of one, Dexter was taken to a nearby animal hospital in the show after Gemma made a "concerning discovery" that he had developed three lumps on his neck.
The Yorkshire Vet, David, checked over Dexter's glands and said the poor billy goat might have an infection, possibly caused by a thorn that he'd eaten, or, on the more serious side, is suffering from caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), a bacterial disease affecting goats and sheep which causes abscesses in the lymph nodes.
If he has contracted CLA, David said the disease could contaminate equipment such as shearing tools and spread the infection.
He added that it is "not normally curable" but has his "fingers crossed" that Dexter improves.
Gemma said the news was "very worrying", adding: "He's part of the family now, to lose him at such a young age won't be good."
The animal rescuer then took Dexter home where she will monitor his progress every day.
Dexter's debut comes as the farm is desperately trying to raise money for a new aviary to protect its rescue pigeons throughout the cold winter months.
Episode 10 of The Yorkshire Vet where Gemma, Dexter and the farm feature can be watched on Channel 5 online or through the app.
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here