Royle Family stars unrecognisable as they reunite – 36 years since beloved TV hit
Legendary actress Sue Johnston celebrated being awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool alongside fellow Royle Family stars as they reunited 36 years after the award-winning BBC comedy. The 80-year-old, who was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2009, said the honour had "taken her breath away."
Sir Paul McCartney and Jurgen Klopp led tributes to the award-winning TV actress following her receiving the Freedom of Liverpool at a special ceremony at Liverpool Town Hall. Sue, who was hailed "a national treasure" by Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, received the award in the company of fellow Freeman such as her long-time screen husband Ricky Tomlinson, Liverpool FC icon Sir Kenny Dalglish and film producer Colin McKeown.
Sue Johnston, Freedom of the City of Liverpool at Liverpool Town Hall pictured with actor David Threlfall
Sue, best known as Sheila Grant in Brookside and Barbara in The Royle Family, was welcomed into the company of the Freemen and Women of the city. Also in attendance were comedians Johnny Vegas and Joe Wilkinson, Shameless star David Threlfall, Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall and Metro Mayors Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham.
After a brief stint on Coronation Street, Sue landed her first major role as Sheila Grant in the Liverpool soap Brookside which first aired on Channel 4 in 1982. She is also famous for playing matriarch Barbara in the award-winning BBC comedy The Royle Family.
The Royle Family ran for three series from 1998 to 2000 and the iconic BBC comedy had us rolling around the floor laughing for years thanks to the hilarious antics of the Royle clan. The sitcom depicted the life of an ordinary family in Manchester, and depicted their hilarious exchanges, predominantly while in front of the telly.
Sue Johnston, Freedom of the City of Liverpool at Liverpool Town Hall with Ricky Tomlinson
After receiving her award, Sue reunited with her on-screen husband Jim, played by Ricky Tomlinson. Actor Johnny Vegas, who also featured on The Royle Family as a celebrity guest, also proudly posed alongside Sue.
She was also embraced by Channel 4's Shameless' David Threlfall. The 70 year old actor, who was famous for playing Frank Gallagher in the irreverent comedy series, looked worlds away from his old character.
In 2000, co-creator of The Royle Family Caroline Aherne announced she would not be starring in or writing any further episodes. There was a possibility that the show could have continued without her, but Ricky selflessly pulled out so it would have to end at its peak.
Sue Johnston, Freedom of the City of Liverpool at Liverpool Town Hall pictured with comedian Johnny Vegas
Five special episodes aired from 2006 until 2012 - and a sixth was in the works before Caroline, who also played Denise Royle, sadly passed away from cancer in 2016. She was only 52 at the time, and seven years later, the series returns for a one-off tribute special in honour of Caroline airing on BBC2.
Sue told Radio Times: "It was very hard, because there are so many people in it who are no longer with us, but The Queen of Sheba [a 2006 episode] is my favourite, and I watch it with a lot of pride.
“The first series was rerun the other day, and do you know, little kids now ask for selfies with me because they love it as much as the older generations did. I think how proud Caroline would have been to know it’s still loved. It was one of the happiest jobs I have ever done."
Actor David Threlfall and comedian Johnny Vegas posed together at the Freedom of the City of Liverpool at Liverpool Town Hall to celebrate Sue Johnston's award
Sue, who played matriarch Barbara in the iconic show from 1998 to 2012, was on-screen mum to daughter Denise (played by Caroline). 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, Sue also starred in Waking The Dead for over a decade then played Gloria Price in Coronation Street for two years. On-screen married couple Sue and Jim were also reunited, as show actors Ricky and Sue also played a loved-up pair on Channel 4 soap Brookside back in the 90s.