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Royle Family cast: Where are they now?

THE Royle Family is a drama series that looked at the life of a family in Manchester.

It ran from 1998 to 2012, and fans have been wondering what the cast are up to now.

Royle Family ran from 1998 to 2012
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Royle Family ran from 1998 to 2012

Where are the Royle Family cast now?

Ricky Tomlinson as Jim Royle

Ricky has gone on to act, open his own business and even release a single
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Ricky has gone on to act, open his own business and even release a singleCredit: PA:Press Association

Ricky Tomlinson's biggest role after The Royle Family was in a fly on the wall documentary about Mike Basset.

He also worked as a comedian and had tours in the late noughties while opening his own cabaret club in Liverpool called the Green Room.

Based off of his character's famous catch phrase from the show, he released a Christmas single called "Christmas My Arse" in 2006.

In 2020 he worked on a travel series with Ralf Little, his on-screen son in The Royle Family.

Sue Johnston as Barbara Royle

Sue Johnston starred in Downton Abbey
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Sue Johnston starred in Downton AbbeyCredit: BBC

Sue Johnston was just one of the show's actors that went on to work in soaps for a while.

She played Gloria in Coronation Street, then left to star in Downton Abbey.

As well as TV, she's starred in films too such as Golden Years.

Caroline Aherne as Denise

Caroline Aherne passed away in 2016
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Caroline Aherne passed away in 2016Credit: PA:Press Association

Caroline Aherne, the show's co-creator, passed away from cancer in 2016 which is why there haven't been any special episodes for the best part of a decade.

She had fallen out with her co-writer and suffered with drink problems and depression.

She won BAFTA awards for her work on The Royle Family.

Craig Cash as Dave Best

Craig Cash is a writer and actor
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Craig Cash is a writer and actorCredit: BBC

Craig Cash was the other co-writer of the show.

He's focused his career on writing and acting for shows including some BBC titles.

Craig has worked with Gogglebox and has done voice work too.

Ralf Little as Anthony

Ralf Little played football while continuing as an actor
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Ralf Little played football while continuing as an actorCredit: Getty Images - Getty

While continuing to act after the show, Ralf also started playing semi-professional football.

His acting credits include Doctor Who, Inside Number Nine and Death in Paradise.

He retired from football in the 2008-2009 season.

Jessica Hynes as Cheryl

Jessica Hynes has worked in film and TV
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Jessica Hynes has worked in film and TVCredit: PA:Press Association

Jessica went on to star in Spaced and Shaun of the Dead with Simon Pegg.

She also bagged movie roles in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Bridget Jones: The Edge or Reason and Paddington Two.

On TV we've recently seen her in BBC One's Years and Years.

Liz Smith as Nana

Liz Smith passed away in her West Sussex home
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Liz Smith passed away in her West Sussex homeCredit: Getty - Contributor

Liz Smith has starred in The Vicar Of Dibley, Curse of The Were Rabbit and Oliver Twist.

She had already established herself as an actress before appearing in The Royle Family in her 70s.

She was awarded an MBE in 2009 off the back of her acting career.

At the age of 95 in 2016 she passed away in her West Sussex home; she had mostly retired by 2009.

Doreen Keogh as Mary

Doreen Keogh (right) in Cold Feet
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Doreen Keogh (right) in Cold FeetCredit: Granada Television

Doreen Keogh starred in Cold Feet and Father Ted.

She passed away in 2017 aged 93 years old.

Peter Martin as Joe

Peter starred in ITV's Emmerdale Farm
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Peter starred in ITV's Emmerdale FarmCredit: BBC

Peter went on to star in ITV's Emmerdale Farm between 2001 and 2007.

Peter has featured in Coronation Street and Chucklevision. 

He is now 86 years old.

Sheridan Smith as Emma Kavanagh

Sheridan Smith is an in-demand actress
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Sheridan Smith is an in-demand actressCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Sheridan Smith has been a huge success story since appearing on the show.

Not only has she continued to dominate the mainstream channel dramas, she's had a successful career on stage in the West End too.

Even in the height of lockdown she was still working as she took part in Isolation Stories and in the second lockdown she performed at The Royal Variety Show.

Andy Whyment as Darren Sinclair-Jones

Andy Whyment went on to star in Coronation Street
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Andy Whyment went on to star in Coronation StreetCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Andy Whyment did well after The Royle Family.

He went on to play Kirk in Coronation Street, one of Britain's biggest soaps.

He also competed in the 2019 series of I'm A Celebrity, coming second place to Jac Jossa.

When will the Royle Family be back on TV?

Tonight (December 4) a repeat episode will air on BBC One.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

There have been rumours around a cast reunion, but some cast members have dismissed this possibility.

It's unlikely the show will be rebooted, so it's worth catching the repeats while they're on.

Nana tries to keep up with the conversation in The Royle Family
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