Key Highlights :
Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston, the beloved co-stars of the much-loved British sitcom The Royle Family, are set to reunite on Channel 4's Celebrity Gogglebox. The pair, who played husband and wife Jim and Babara Royle in the sitcom which aired between 1998 and 2000, as well as for five specials after that, will be among the guests commenting on the week's TV offerings.
Ahead of appearing on the programme, Ricky said: “When it first aired Gogglebox was called ‘the real Royle Family’ so this is a full circle moment, Sue and I together again, in front of the box!” The Royle Family already has links with Gogglebox, as Caroline Aherne, who played Denise Royle, was its narrator before she passed away at the age of 52 due to cancer in 2016. Since then Craig Cash, who also appeared on the sitcom as Dave Best, has provided the narration since then.
Joining Ricky and Sue in the new series will be returning stars Zoe Ball, Johnny Ball and Woody Cook, Denise Van Outen and Duncan James, plus Shaun Ryder and Bez. Comedian Katherine Ryan will also feature alongside her husband Bobby Koostra. Katherine said she has been a “huge Gogglebox fan for years” and said her and her husband were “thrilled to be taking part.” She said: “It’s usually just the dogs who get to see us watch TV, so we’re excited to welcome viewers into our home as we decompress in our favourite spot – the sofa.”
Katherine also recently revealed her days as a single mum with daughter Violet, 13, who she had with a previous partner, were some of her happiest and was “quite nervous” she may never regain that feeling after she had her son Fred, 23 months, and daughter Fenna, five months, with Bobby.
Celebrity Gogglebox will begin airing on Channel 4 at 10 pm on Friday, June 16 and viewers can look forward to seeing Ricky and Sue reunite, as well as the other guests, comment on the week's TV offerings. It promises to be an entertaining series with plenty of laughter and insights into the world of television.