It’s been 25 years to the day since The Royle Family first hit our TV screens, and it’s set to return with a one-off special for the occasion.
The undeniably iconic BBC Manchester-based sitcom starring Ricky Tomlinson as family patriarch Jim Royle, Sue Johnston as his wife Barbara, the late Caroline Aherne and Ralf Little as their daughter and son Denise and Antony, and Craig Cash as Denise’s husband David, was watched and loved by millions nationwide.
Co-created by stars Aherne and Cash, the hilarious and heartwarming series about a television-obsessed family ran for 25 episodes and specials between 1998 and 2012.
Critics lauded The Royle Family for its unique approach to storytelling, as it famously broke away from the traditional sitcom structure, and went on to earn a place in the hearts of viewers and amass a loyal fanbase thanks to its relatable portrayal of family dynamics.
So it’s only right that we properly celebrate this show on its 25th birthday, right?
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Well luckily, that’s exactly what UKTV is planning to do, as the channel Gold is airing an updated and refreshed version of the critically-acclaimed sitcom’s original 2010 documentary, The Royle Family: Down the Back of the Sofa, tonight to mark 25 years since the show first aired.
The refreshed version of The Royle Family: Down the Back of the Sofa gives fans another chance to see the original documentary interviews with the core cast – which includes Craig and Caroline’s only ever filmed interview as a pair.
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In celebration of the late Aherne’s, the refreshed documentary will also include insights from an impressive collection of celebrity fans.
Tonight's the night! 25 years since the very first episode of #TheRoyleFamily aired, we're celebrating by offering you another chance to watch our interviews with the core cast from 2010 as well as fresh insights from celebrity fans! pic.twitter.com/hoQ8T47d3v
Actors and comics Diane Morgan, Rosie Jones, Jamie and Natasia Demetriou, John Thomson, Rachel Fairburn, Shobna Gulati, Jack Rooke, and Sharon Rooney are just some of the famous names set to pay tribute to Aherne’s legacy in the documentary special.
“The Royle Family has without doubt left a permanent mark in television history and we’re delighted to have commissioned this documentary for the 25th anniversary,” Gold’s Senior Commissioning Editor for Comedy and Entertainment, Jason Dawson, said ahead of the documentary airing.
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“We hope viewers will enjoy reliving this celebration of one of the nation’s most beloved shows.”
You can watch The Royle Family: Down the Back of the Sofa at 9pm tonight on Gold.
Featured Image – BBC
TV & Showbiz
Mancs can apply to be paired up with two potential partners for a ‘unique’ Channel 4 dating show
Emily Sergeant
Those who consider themselves to be pretty unlucky-in-love can now apply to take part in one of the most “unique” dating shows on TV.
Following the undoubted success of the first series – which has been airing on E4 for the past couple of weeks now, before concluding last Thursday (9 May) – Channel 4 has now put out a nationwide casting call for people to take part in the next series of its newest dating game show, Love Triangle.
And the show’s producers are calling on singletons from Greater Manchester to stick an application in.
Mancs can apply to be paired up with two potential partners for a ‘unique’ TV dating show / Credit: Channel 4
Unfamiliar with Love Triangle?
Based off the US and Australian programmes of the same name, the UK version is a so-called “supersized” take on the show, and it seeks to “turn everything you know about dating on its head”.
In what is a first of its kind for UK television, the brand-new relationship format asks six courageous singles to reject all the conventions and pitfalls of modern app-based dating in favour of a “radical” new approach.
Channel 4 is currently casting across the UK for the next series of Love Triangle / Credit: Channel 4
The six contestants will first choose a love match from two potential suitors.
One match embodies each single’s usual wants, type, and desires, while the other reflects their deeper and more “fulfilling” romantic needs.
After choosing one of the suitors to date, the other will then make a “shocking surprise return” to form a love triangle, and then, after dating and living with both suitors, each single faces a choice – they must pick one of their matches to “pursue lasting love”.
The casting call for contestants on the Channel 4 website reads: “In this unique relationship series reflecting dating in the real world, unlucky-in-love singles are matched with two potential partners, who each tick different boxes of their wants and needs, in the hopes of finding long-lasting love.”
To apply for the show, you just need to be 18 years of age or older, a resident of the UK, and crucially, single and “looking for love”.
Do you fancy yourself a bit of a brainbox? Reckon you’re ready to put your general knowledge to the test in the hopes of winning some money? And by ‘some money’, we just mean the small matter of £1 million?
If you answered yes to those questions, then you’ll probably keen to know that ITV has put out a casting call for people to take part in the next series of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?.
That’s right… it’s been confirmed that Jeremy Clarkson is back hosting another series of the world-famous reality game show – which was revived to great success by ITV back for the first time back in 2018 – later this year, and that means the show’s producers are, of course, looking for contestants who believe they’ve got what it takes to make it to the million.
Brainy Mancs are wanted by ITV producers for a new series of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? / Credit: ITV
A casting call on the ITV website reads: “If you would like the chance to sit opposite Jeremy in the world-famous hotseat, then apply now, as could be just 15 questions away from becoming a millionaire.”
Applications for the new series of the show are now live and currently being accepted up until the cut-off date of 15 November 2024, but the earlier you apply the better, as the audition and casting process is set to take place between 22 July and 11 October 2024.
To apply, you must be aged 18 or over on the date of submitting the form, and you must be a British citizen or have the right to reside in the UK, as well as ensuring you meet the eligibility requirements listed on the ITV website before you start completing this application form.