The Royle Family first aired in 1998 and ran for two years, with the last episode airing in 2000. The British sitcom was the epitome of British culture and humour. Thanks to the show, many of the actors shot to fame.
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As per Mirror, the show won several BAFTAs and is often featured in lists of top British TV programmes. Twenty-five years after the iconic show ended, here’s what the main cast is up to.
Ricky Tomlinson (Jim Royle)
First up is Ricky Tomlinson, who portrayed Jim Royle. Following the show, Tomlinson starred in Mike Bassett: England Manager in 2001. The actor also played the Lord Mayor in the hit Christmas film Nativity! in 2009.
A film isn’t the only Christmas-related project Ricky Tomlinson has done. Indeed, as per Mirror, he released a Christmas single called ‘Christmas My Arse’, inspired by Jim Royle’s infamous catchphrase.
In 2003, as reported by The Sun, the actor released an autobiography that caused a scandal after he revealed details about his affairs. His book spent five weeks at the top of the UK’s best-selling chart.
In 2008 and 2009, Tomlinson went on a comedy tour and even opened his own cabaret club called the Green Room in Liverpool. In more recent projects, Ricky starred in Our Kid in 2023.
The actor has faced some health issues throughout the years. In 2007, Tomlinson underwent a quadruple heart bypass, which fortunately was successful. He also suffers from the skin disease Prurigo Nodularis, which causes a severely itchy rash.
Sue Johnston (Barbara Royle)
Up next we have Sue Johnston, who portrayed Jim’s wife, Barbara Royle. Thanks to her role in The Royle Family, Sue won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actress in 2000.
Not only did Johnston win several awards, but her role as Barbara paved the way for many more projects. Indeed, as per The Sun, she went on to star in several big shows, from The Walking Dead, as Dr. Grace Foley, and Downton Abbey, as Miss Denker, to Coronation Street, who recently said goodbye to Helen Worth.
In 2009, Sue Johnston was made an OBE as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Honours.
Caroline Aherne (Denise Royle)
Caroline Aherne was one of the co-creators of The Royle Family and also starred in the hit show as Denise Royle.
Following the end of the show, she went on to become the voiceover for Channel 4’s Gogglebox when the programme started in 2013. However, in 2014, Aherne was diagnosed with lung cancer and took a break for treatment, as per Mirror.
This wasn’t the first time the actress had battled cancer, as reported by The Sun, she was successfully treated for bladder cancer and a rare cancer of the retina. Caroline Aherne had also suffered from depression and alcoholism.
Sadly, on 2 July 2016, Caroline passed away at the age of 52. During her battle with lung cancer, the actress was very vocal about the disease. She also urged people to cut down on drinking and smoking.
Craig Cash (Dave Best)
Craig Cash was the other co-creator of The Royle Family, and he portrayed Dave Best, who was Denise’s fiancé and later husband in the show.
Following the end of The Royle Family, the actor wrote the BBC sitcom Early Doors and starred in and directed the Sky comedy Rovers with on-screen mother-in-law Sue Johnston.
Cash filled in for Caroline Aherne on Gogglebox when she was going through cancer treatment. When she sadly passed in 2016, Cash took over completely.
Speaking about taking over from his long-time friend, he explained it was ‘heartbreaking,’ but after a while, he felt closer to Caroline when doing the voiceover. As per Mirror, he said:
She will, of course, forever be in my life, but it was heartbreaking going into the small studio in Manchester at 8 am on a Friday morning to record the narration for the show, knowing that Caroline used to sit in the same room.
Now that time has passed, going into the studio is a lovely little moment because Caroline is with me again.
As per The Sun, Craig Cash is married to Stephanie Davies — who appeared in an episode of The Royle Family in 2006 — and has two sons, Harry and Billy.
Ralf Little (Antony Royle)
Ralf Little played Antony Royle in the show. Since the end of The Royle Family in 2000, he has starred in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Death in Paradise, and Our Yorkshire Farm, as per The Sun. The actor has also appeared in BBC’s Robin Hood, Doctor Who, and Inside No. 9.
Ralf also had a semi-professional football career. According to Mirror, he played for Maidstone United, Staines Town, Edgware Town, and Chertsey Town. Some may not know that Ralf is the grandson of Welsh international footballer Albert Lockley.
Sheridan Smith (Emma Kavanagh)
Last up is Sheridan Smith, who played Emma Kavanagh, Antony Royle’s first girlfriend. Even though Sheridan had a small part in The Royle Family, she went on to become a household name in the UK.
Following the show, she appeared in several shows. As reported by The Sun, she also starred in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (2001 to 2009), alongside Ralf Little. Her other notable works include Benidorm, Heartbeat, The Bill, and Gavin & Stacey, which returned in 2024 for a Christmas special.
In 2014, Sheridan Smith starred in the hit ITV mini-series Cilla, where the actress portrayed the iconic singer.
Smith has also worked in theatre. As per The Sun, she performed in Willy Russell’s one-woman play Shirley Valentine on the West End. She also starred in the West End’s Little Shop of Horrors, Legally Blonde, and Joseph.
Thanks to her work, Sheridan Smith has won two Olivier Awards, a BAFTA, an NTA, and received two International Emmy Awards. Sheridan became a mother in May 2020.
Read more:
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Sources used:
The Sun: ‘ROYLE DRAMA Where Royle Family cast are now as Peter Martin dies – from star’s horror car crash to I’m A Celebrity & Gogglebox fame’
The Mirror: ‘The Royle Family cast now - Gogglebox legend, Corrie star and tragic deaths’
