The beloved BBC sitcom The Royle Family ended over a decade ago, we look at where the stars are now, from heartbreaking deaths to career updates.
It’s been over a decade since fans of The Royle Family last saw the cherished characters on their screens.
First broadcast back in 1998, the BBC series followed the Royle’s, a typical working-class family from the North West. Originally it ran for a total of three series before concluding in 2000.
However, between the years 2006 and 2012, there were multiple standalone episodes with the final one being a Christmas special, which was titled Barbara’s Old Ring.
Despite the sitcom ending 13 years ago, The Royle Family is often cited as one of the most popular classic sitcoms that aired on British TV.
It centred on the Royle family with husband Jim, his wife Barbara (Sue Johnston), their daughter Denise (Caroline Aherne), and son Antony (Ralf Little) at the forefront, reports the Mirror.
Also featured in the show is Craig Cash, who played Denise’s husband Dave. With the entire series available to watch on BBC iPlayer, we’re taking a look at where the stars from the programme are now.
Ricky Tomlinson
Following his role in The Royle Family, Ricky continued his acting and comedy career, appearing in the likes of In the Flesh, Great Night Out and the festive film Nativity.
Outside of his acting career, he faced personal heartache in 2004 when his 33-year-old son died from alcoholic liver disease. Clifton was one of the three children Ricky shared with ex-wife Marlene Tomlinson.
Reflecting on the tragedy in the past, Ricky stated in 2016 that he continues to communicate with his late son. At the time, he expressed: “I talk to him all the time, in my head,” after commemorating the painful anniversary.
He further added: “It’s not just this time of year, it’s regularly. He was great and harum-scarum. He knows I loved him. And although I can’t see him, now and then he sits on the bed with me.
“I can feel him, this weight. I know that sounds strange because ghosts are invisible. But I know it’s him.”
Caroline Aherne
Despite portraying the daughter in The Royle Family, Caroline co-created and co-wrote The Royle Family alongside Craig Cash, her former real-life partner.
Caroline also contributed to the creation of shows like Dossa and Joe, ITV comedy-drama The Fattest Man in Britain and The Security Men.
One of her final significant roles was as the narrator for the popular Channel 4 reality show Gogglebox. Tragically, Caroline was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014.
Two years later, she sadly passed away from the disease at the age of 52. At the time of her death, her on-screen brother Ralf Little penned a heartfelt tribute.
He remarked: “Sorry for silence – I just… don’t know what to say. What a sad, sad day. We’ve lost another one of our best.
“A character. A legend. A boss. A sister, real and (for me) fake. A boss. A writer. An actor. A genius. A friend. Big, big heart. Goodbye x.
“Thing is, amidst all sadness, Caroline would now say something grounded, incisive, and hilarious. I can’t think of anything, but she would.”
Sue Johnston
Sue’s portrayal as Barbara Royle was a favourite on the programme, recognised for being the ‘heart and soul’ of the household. Since departing from the BBC show, Sue has featured in a multitude of renowned shows.
In 2012, she joined the cast of Coronation Street as Gloria Price before exiting in 2014.
She also appeared as Gladys Denker in the fifth series of Downton Abbey. In 2009, she was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her contributions to drama and charity.
Reflecting on Coraline Aherne’s tragic passing, Sue admitted she still finds it incredibly difficult. Speaking to The Star On Sunday back in 2018, she disclosed: “I still can’t delete her number from my phone. It’s just too hard, it’s too big.
“I just miss her so much. Sometimes it catches me completely unaware and I realise that she’s gone.”
Craig Cash
Craig is best known for his role as Dave in The Royle Family, which he also co-created with Caroline.
When the series concluded, he went on to co-write and star in the popular BBC sitcom Early Doors.
Alongside his acting career, Craig also proceeded to direct and produce many well-known sitcoms.
In 2016, he took over as the narrator of Gogglebox following Caroline’s death, which he shared felt like a ‘gift’ she left him. Three years ago, he told BBC Radio Manchester: “It was really lovely, because it feel like a gift she has left me and I’m very grateful.
“It felt like only natural I should keep doing it and I feel like she’s with me sometimes. When I go in the studio where we used to record it, I can feel her presence sometimes. That feels a bit weird but true.”
Ralf Little
Ralf made his acting debut in The Royle Family when he was merely 17 years old, recently describing it as a ‘privilege’ to have been involved.
Since then, he went on to star in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps alongside his friend and co-star Will Mellor. However, he’s most recognised for his role as Detective Inspector Neville Parker in Death in Paradise.
Beyond the world of acting, he’s experienced personal tragedy as his sister Ceri passed away when he was nine years old. Recently, the actor became highly emotional as he discussed his late sibling.
In his programme with Will Mellor, he touched on one of the reasons he hasn’t decided to have children of his own, reflecting on what happened to his family.
He said: “Everything, their entire lives crumbled right in front of their eyes from that moment on. It’s like, you know, you can’t protect them. My mum was really… my mum was really protective of us.
“Really protective. And it happened anyway. It happened anyway because you can’t wrap your kids in cotton wool and protect them 24-7. Like, it’s a lot. And it’s only when I’m forced to sort of say these things out loud that I realise quite what a lot it is.”
Sheridan Smith
Sheridan joined the sitcom in 1999 as Emma Kavanagh, the girlfriend of Antony Royle.
The actress has gone on to enjoy a highly successful career and has featured in numerous shows, including Cilla, Mrs Biggs, Gavin and Stacey and Inside No. 9.
Alongside receiving an OBE in 2015 for services to drama, she’s also had a thriving West End career, having starred in Little Shop of Horrors, Legally Blonde, Funny Girl and Flare Path.
In 2021, Sheridan was involved in a serious car crash when her Range Rover veered into a tree due to icy weather conditions, according The Sun.
A source told the publication at the time: “Sheridan is so lucky to be alive. It could have been so much worse. Her car was stuck in the tree, it was a really bad crash.”
The Royle Family is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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