22 June 2023 , 13:51
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Here’s the first look at brand new Celebrity Gogglebox couple Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston as they join the hit Channel 4 show this week.
Fans of The Royle Family were overjoyed when it was exclusively announced earlier this month by Mirror Online that the beloved actors would be reuniting on TV screens once again.
Ricky, 83, played patriarch Jim Royle in the BBC comedy, with veteran actress Sue, 79, playing his wife Barbara.
It was rumoured The Royle Family was the inspiration for Gogglebox, as most scenes depicted the working class family sitting in their living room giving their opinions on TV shows.
Ricky and Sue reunited for the first time since The Royle Family finished in 2012 (Channel 4)The iconic comedy ran for three series from 1998 to 2000, along with five one-off specials, and starred Ralf Little, Craig Cash and Caroline Aherne, who also narrated Gogglebox when it first aired in 2013.
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The writer and comedian sadly passed away in July 2016 after being diagnosed with lung cancer, and Craig, who played her on-screen husband Dave in The Royle Family, stepped in as narrator following her death.
It is a bittersweet reunion for fans of the much-loved comedy, but Ricky is excited to appear on the show he called “the real Royle family”.
The Royle Family served as inspiration for Gogglebox (BBC)“When it first aired, Gogglebox was called ‘the real Royle Family’, so this is a full circle moment, Sue and I together again, in front of the box!” he laughed.
Fans were delighted when news broke, with one quoting Jim's famous catchphrase in a post on Twitter: “Gogglebox… my arse.”
“What a brilliant idea this is! Can’t wait to watch!” another added.
Ricky and Sue join a star-studded line-up of famous faces as the hit Channel 4 show returns on Friday.
Other newcomers to the sofa include Davina McCall and her boyfriend Michael Douglas, comedian Katherine Ryan and her husband Bobby, as well as BBC star Chris Packham with his step-daughter Megan.
Celebrity Gogglebox returns on Friday, 9pm on Channel 4