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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The Royle Family is returning with a one-off 25th anniversary special / Credit: BBC
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
Famous films and TV shows that were shot around Manchester
Daisy Jackson
The streets of Manchester are often taken over and transformed by huge productions for TV shows and for blockbuster films
It’s a pretty common occurrence in the city to stumble across a huge set, whether it’s New York-style taxis cruising through the Northern Quarter or stunt men dangling from the top of buildings.
It’s also quite common to be settling down in the cinema, or at home with Netflix, and being greeted by an unexpectedly familiar scene on the screen.
In recent years, eagle-eyed viewers were kept busy trying to spot all the local locations scattered across smash hit Netflix drama Stay Close.
But there have been plenty of other instances where our hometown of Manchester has been a calling point for Hollywood films and hit series.
The Manchester Film and TV map has itineraries, behind-the-scenes information, and exclusive experiences to enhance their cinematic journey through Greater Manchester.
Bobby Cochrane, Film Office Manager at Screen Manchester, said: “Every day we are privileged to explore Manchester’s magnificence as we open the city up to producers from all corners of the globe. We then enjoy the greatest job satisfaction when locations we have secured appear in all manner of genres across a spectrum of platforms.
“This new map is a brilliant initiative, which will allow visitors to get up close and personal with some of the places where their on-screen heroes have played out their roles. We were delighted to help curate the information included and look forward to being able to add a whole host of new locations in the future thanks to a rich pipeline of productions filmed in the city releasing throughout 2025 and beyond.”
And in the meantime, here are some of the biggest films and television series that were shot here in Manchester so you can explore without leaving your couch.
Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders scenes filmed on Mangle Street in the Northern Quarter. Credit: Netflix UK
Cillian Murphy and co have frequently popped up to Manchester to film scenes of the hit gangster series – despite the Peaky Blinders actually living in Birmingham.
For the most recent series, huge sets and crews were spotted in Castlefield, while in previous years dramatic gun fights have been filmed around London Road Fire Station and on Mangle Street in the Northern Quarter.
Even Tommy Shelby’s massive mansion is up north – Netflix uses Arley Hall in Cheshire to double up as his pad.
Some of the most iconic moments in the drama were filmed here, like the horse auction at Victoria Baths, and the political rally outside the Stockport Plaza.
Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice at Lyme Park. Credit: BBC
Ah yes – Colin Firth in a wet shirt. A truly memorable moment of British television.
This legendary scene was filmed at Lyme Park in Cheshire as part of the BBC’s 1995 retelling of Pride and Prejudice.
So famous has wet Colin become, it’s been referenced in several of his films since, including Love Actually, Bridget Jones, and St Trinian’s.
Colin aside, it’s a stunning setting for the period drama, with the National Trust mansion rising high above the lake.
Captain America
Captain America scenes shot in the Northern Quarter
It’s not every day you see a Marvel superhero strolling past the cafes and bars in the Northern Quarter – but that’s exactly what happened back in 2010 when Captain America came to town.
The hero is seen sprinting through 1940s New York in a dramatic chase scene, complete with explosions… because Marvel.
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It was a massive operation to dress the sets, with fake shop fronts installed, posters stuck up and even temporary street lights added in.
The Crown
The Crown scenes in Manchester. Credit: Netflix UK
Stevenson Square was completely transformed into Manhattan for the season four finale of The Crown, which showed Princess Diana’s trip to New York.
A fleet of yellow taxis and vintage cars rolled through the Northern Quarter, surrounded by American street signs, traffic lights, and even trash cans.
Elsewhere in the episode, the city centre’s streets were used for basketball games, hospital visits and more, right across Back Piccadilly, Dale Street, and Peter Street.
Stay Close
The Refuge in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
It’s the Netflix show people haven’t stopped talking about this month, as another of Harlan Coben’s thrillers has been converted for TV.
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Stay Close was filmed all over Greater Manchester and the north west, including Blackpool and parts of Lancashire.
There were multiple locations in Manchester city centre itself though, like the above hen do scene in The Refuge, a stag do in the The Edwardian hotel, and multiple scenes filmed inside Impossible.
It’s a Sin
It’s A Sin outside Clampdown Records in Manchester. Credit: Channel 4
It’s A Sin is one of Channel 4’s most sensational dramas of all time, following the lives of a group of gay men living through the early years of the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
The heart-breaking series was written by Russell T Davis, an adopted Manc who also shot his groundbreaking Queer as Folk in the city.
Although It’s A Sin is mostly set in London, it was a familiar Manchester setting that was used for ‘The Pink Palace’ where the characters lived.
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Clampdown Record’s cheerfully retro signage didn’t even need updating for the 1980s programme.
The Stranger
The Stranger filming on St Peter’s Square. Credit: Netflix UK
The Stranger was another smash-hit success for Netflix and author Harlan Coben.
Its locations in Manchester included the arched walkway at St Peter’s Square, a stunning house in Didsbury, the cafe near Manchester Cathedral, and even The French inside the Midland Hotel, which was the scene of a karaoke sing-song.
Cold Feet
The cast of Cold Feet in Castlefield. Credit: ITV
Cold Feet is a Manchester TV show through and through – the stars are seen all over the city centre ever since it started in 1997.
From drinking in the pub (both The Swan With Two Nicks and The Woodstock feature) to getting married outside the Great Northern, watching Cold Feet gives Mancs serious deja vu.
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The above scene was shot by the canals in Castlefield.
Featured image: Netflix UK / BBC
TV & Showbiz
‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
14th September 2023 
