Caroline Aherne’s first boss reveals tragic star always said she’d die young
Comedy legend behind Mrs Merton and The Royal Family had a sense death would come for her sooner than most
THE TV PRODUCER who first put Caroline Aherne on air has told how the comic always had a sense she would die before her time.
Andy Harries, who first worked with Caroline in 1992, produced The Royle Family with her and writing partner Craig Cash.
And speaking after her death, he told how the star — who battled cancer all her life — would joke about not being around for ever.
Andy, 62, said: “Caroline always felt fragile. There was a sense she’d not have a long life. She’d say she wouldn’t be around for ever.
“But it was always done light-heartedly with a vodka and tonic in her hand.
“She never complained about the cards she was dealt, either with cancer or the guys who came into her life and went.
“She always considered it part of life’s rich tapestry.
“Caroline was an extraordinary woman from the moment I met her. She was shy and uncertain in herself, but not in her talent.
“She could literally make me convulse with laughter.
“Craig, who was the Lennon to her McCartney, texted me to say they had the best years of their lives filming The Royle Family.
“I think I did too. I remember her in my office, probably a bit hungover, and making a load of noise as they wrote the scripts.
“She could be mercurial but only because she cared about the work. I remember her once calling up Alan Yentob after filming a series. She demanded he put it on TV sooner — because she couldn’t wait.”
Andy remained friends with Caroline, who was married to former New Order star Peter Hook from 1994 until 1997, until her death.
He added: “She could be so enchanting, so wonderful and so extraordinarily kind.
“And she was completely brilliant in her talent.”