The Royle Family cast now - Gogglebox legend, Corrie star and tragic deaths

14 August 2023 , 19:00

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The iconic BBC sitcom was short-lived and only ran from 1998 until 2000 (Image: BBC)

It's easy to see why the nation fell so deeply in love with The Royle Family in 1998 - the characters were the absolute epitome of British culture and had us in fits of laughter during every episode.

The iconic BBC comedy shot many of its actors to fame, with a few going on to become major stars, featuring on Gogglebox, Corrie and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here.

The series originally ran from 1998 until 2000 and the cast became like one big family on set, playing pranks on each other and bonding over their slightly weird, but brilliantly loveable roles.

As The Royle Family sitcom airs on repeat on BBC Two, starting tonight at 10pm, here is a look at what happened to the cast, including the deaths of three icons we all remember fondly today.

Caroline Aherne

Caroline wrote the show and played Denise (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

She was an undeniable comedy genius (BBC)

Caroline Aherne co-created and starred in the show with her close friend Craig Cash, playing Denise Royle and her husband David respectively. Obnoxious Denise was incredibly lazy and loved sitting down smoking while watching The Jeremy Kyle Show.

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After The Royle Family, Caroline became the voiceover on Gogglebox, introducing the families with her dulcet tones and bringing a warming feeling to the Channel 4 show. In 2014, she was sadly diagnosed with lung cancer and took time off for treatment, so Craig filled in as a relief host.

In 2020, she tragically passed away at the age of just 52. One of her final acting roles had been as Shelia in Sky One comedy After Hours in 2015, which was directed by Craig. Many of the Royle Family cast and crew attended and Craig gave a speech in the packed church.

Caroline sadly passed away at the age of 52 (Getty Images Europe)

Craig later admitted that he struggled with the heartbreak of filling in for Caroline on Gogglebox after her death. "When Caroline died in July 2016, I took over narrating duties," he told Radio Times. "She will of course forever be in my life, but it was heartbreaking going into the small studio in Manchester at 8am on a Friday morning to record the narration for the show, knowing that Caroline used to sit in the same room."

However, rather poignantly, it did make him feel closer to Caroline to work in the same place she had. "Now that time has passed, going into the studio is a lovely little moment because Caroline is with me again," he said. "And I know she'll be watching Gogglebox in heaven with 20 Bensons and a bottle of champagne."

Craig Cash

Craig also wrote the show and played Dave (BBC)

After meeting at a Manchester pirate radio station in the early 80s, Caroline and Craig, now 62, became best friends. They went on to write one of the greatest ever British sitcoms, while playing lethargic on-screen couple Denise and Dave. A simple man, Dave was the husband of Denise and son-in-law of Jim and Barbara.

He was very close with the Royle family and always supported lazy wife Denise through his job as a removal fan. Dave and Denise were parents to baby David, who Jim claimed didn't know who his parents were because he was always left with his grandparents, and baby Norma.

Craig became the permanent Gogglebox voiceover

After the show, Craig wrote BBC sitcom Early Doors and starred and directed Sky comedy Rovers with on-screen mum-in-law Sue Johnston. Craig also took over Caroline's role as Gogglebox voiceover when she took time off to have cancer treatment. "In November 2013, when she was gravely ill with cancer, Caroline asked if I'd narrate Gogglebox when she wasn't up to it," he told Radio Times. "Of course, I said yes; it was a very sad time and I wanted to do right by her and by the programme. Caroline was well and then unwell, well and unwell, so I filled in whenever she needed me to." When Caroline tragically died, Craig became the permanent voiceover star.

Ricky Tomlinson

Ricky Tomlinson played Jim Royle (BBC)

Lazy Jim Royle loved nothing better than sitting in his armchair all day watching TV with a cuppa. When he wasn't barking orders at wife Barbara, Jim was mocking his son Anthony, shouting at Denise for spending money they didn't have or getting into rows with Nana. Despite it all Jim was actually a very loving father - with the scene where Denise (Caroline) went into labour being the most powerful for actor Ricky Tomlinson, now 83.

"I think it was so special to her because Caroline didn't have children," said Ricky. "And it was so special to me because my own girl, my Kate, was born on Christmas Day. And that's why the tears were real. The cameraman was the son of Corrie character Stan Ogden and at the end he was crying and said: 'That's it. We don't need another take'. It just stands out in my mind."

Ricky was devastated when Caroline passed away

Ricky Tomlinson was absolutely devastated when he heard the deeply sad news that Caroline had died. "Her death is the biggest shock in the world. It's knocked me for six," confessed Ricky, who was unaware of how truly ill she was. "I'm so bloody shocked. She was absolutely wonderful and amazing to work for. Kind, funny, witty," he told The Sunday Mirror. "A true professional and one of the most generous people I ever worked with."

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After his starring role on The Royle Family, Ricky played the titular character in hilarious fly on the wall documentary Mike Basset England Manager. Ricky released a Christmas single called "Christmas My Arse", based on his character's catchphrase, which reached number 25 in the charts. He went on a comedy tour in 2008 and 2009, opened his own cabaret club the Green Room in Liverpool and appeared in many TV adverts. In 2020 Ricky took part in a well-received travel series with his on-screen son Ralf Little.

Sue Johnston

Sue played mum Barbara in the sitcom (BBC)

Long-suffering Barbara had the unenviable task of keeping the house in check and doing almost everything for her family. The hard-working mother cooked every meal, including all of the Christmas dinners, while husband Jim sat on the sofa. Barbara was very close with daughter Denise but showed great love to both her kids - and took good care of her mum, Norma. In real life, actress Sue Johnston, now 79, starred in Waking The Dead for over a decade then played Gloria Price in Coronation Street for two years.

Sue Johnston was in Downton Abbey (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Sue appeared in the fifth series of Downton Abbey as Miss Denker and in the films Golden Years and Walk Like A Panther. She also teamed up with Craig Cash again in Sky One comedy Rovers in 2016. Sue was very close to Caroline Aherne and has a painting of her in her house, which is the first thing she sees every morning.

"For me, she was the most generous of women and that showed in her spirit," said Sue. "She was very funny, naturally funny, but her generosity was extraordinary. At the end of a week's filming there would be a table laid out with champagne, beers, sweets for the crew and everyone, she spoiled everyone."

Ralf Little

Ralf Little played Anthony Royle (BBC/PA)

The son of Barbara and Jim, young Anthony was always called a "lazy git" by his dad, but was made to do all the chores. Anthony was made to make the tea and answer the door - and it was only once he left home that his dad realised how much he did. The scruffy teen managed to make something of himself when he got a big job and got a girlfriend. Anthony broke up with Emma shortly after they had baby Lewis, then proposed to pregnant girlfriend Saskia.

Ricky and Ralf went on a Very Northern Road Trip

Ralf Little, now 43, went on to star in Two Pints of Larger and a Packet of Crisps and has also appeared in BBC series Robin Hood, Doctor Who, Inside Number 9 and in 2019 was confirmed as the new lead star of Death in Paradise. Ralf also had a bit of a semi-professional football career, playing for Maidstone United, Staines Town, Edgware Town and Chertsey Town. Most recently, Ralph filmed a six-part travel series with former Royle Family co-star Ricky Tomlinson called Ricky and Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip.

Liz Smith

Liz played Nana and had us in hysterics (BBC)

Nana was everyone's favourite character - and reminded us of our own grandparents. The mum of Barbara, loud and outspoken Nana always clashed with son-in-law Jim over owning every item on Antiques Roadshow and not sharing her chocolates. The nation was left in floods of tears when Nana died during the 2006 Christmas special - The Queen of Sheba.

Liz Smith sadly died at the age of 95 (PA)

The wonderful Liz Smith was part of two iconic British comedy series, The Vicar of Dibley and The Royle Family. She became a household name playing Letitia Cropley on the church-based show until her character was killed off in the 1996 Easter special.

Liz also starred in the first series of Lark Rise to Candleford and was made an MBE in the 2009 New Year's Honours for services to acting. Heartbreakingly, the veteran TV star died on Christmas Eve 2016 at the age of 95. This was just days after a repeat of her emotional final The Royle Family episode had aired.

Sheridan Smith

Sheridan Smith played Emma on the show (BBC)

Emma was Anthony's girlfriend, who was first introduced to the rest of the family at his 18th birthday party. During Baby David's Christening it was revealed that the couple were engaged, despite Jim thinking it was never going to last. Jim and Barbara correctly predicted that Emma was pregnant and her parents came to visit, but they broke up after their son Louis was born.

Sheridan Smith, 42, is the most famous star to come from the show - with her career absolutely sky rocketing. After leaving The Royle Family in 2000, Sheridan had another comedic role as Janet Keough in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps from 2001 until 2009.

Sheridan has become incredibly successful (Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

The actress has received critical acclaim for her performances in a string of TV dramas including Mrs Biggs, Cilla, The C Word and The Moorside. She is also known for her other comedy roles in Gavin & Stacey as Smithy's sister, Benidorm and Jonathan Creek. As well as the telly she is a star of the stage, performing on the West End in Little Shop of Horros, Legally Blonde, and Joseph.

Sheridan has won two Olivier Awards, a BAFTA, an NTA and received two International Emmy Awards. The actress gave birth to her first son Billy in May 2020. Speaking to Notebook magazine, Sheridan said: "I try to take him everywhere with me, he's like my little shadow. We're like two peas in a pod, he's the best thing that's ever happened to me. So long as I keep working and have my little boy with me then I'm happy."

Andy Whyment

Andy played Anthony's best mate Darren (BBC)

The weird best friend of Anthony, Darren was always committing crimes but never seemed to go to prison. A simple lad, Darren would usually only give one word answers to questions and found Jim's jokes overly hilarious. The only time he was distracted from the telly was while watching Denise breast feed baby David.

Many people will have forgotten actor Andy Whyment, 42, was in the show as he was made famous by a different role. Straight after finishing on The Royle Family, Andy joined the cast of Coronation Street. Andy made a name for himself playing bumbling but lovable fool Kirk Sutherland.

Andy is best known for playing Kirk on the cobbles

He has since starred on I'm A Celeb and All Stars (Getty Images)

The soap actor married wife Nicola in 2007 and they have two kids, Thomas and Hollie. As well as competing in Soapstar Superstar and Dancing On Ice, Andy headed into the I'm A Celebrity camp in 2019. Andy won over a legion of fans during his time in the jungle and finished in second place. He returned to the series for the special All Stars edition in South Africa.

The Royle Family sitcom will air on BBC Two tonight at 10pm.

Kyle O'Sullivan