Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview on Brookside Close ahead of the show’s one-off return
Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston have built up an incredible onscreen chemistry together over the past four decades. The TV icons are synonymous with each other and have built up a strong friendship in real life through their roles as onscreen husband and wife in Brookside and The Royle Family.
The two will reprise the roles that first brought them together when they appear as Bobby and Sheila Grant in the Brookside crossover episode in celebration of Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary. The ECHO had the pleasure of interviewing the acting royalty on the day camera crews returned to the L12 cul-de-sac last month – and Sue admitted it felt surreal to be back on the close as Sheila for the first time since 1990.
The 81-year-old, who grew up in Prescot, said the show is particularly special as she landed the role at an important part of her life. She told the ECHO: “We all loved the city. For me personally, [Brookside] saved my life. I could do the telly and live at home with my kid.”
Sue was a part of the original line-up when the show debuted in 1982 and explained why the Sir Phil Redmond-created show resonated so much with viewers. She said: “It was different, it resonated, it touched people and it was real.
“The way it was filmed on a single camera without a studio. It was so different. We were all learning. We were all newcomers.” Ricky agreed, as he told the ECHO: “We took subjects like marital abuse and rape that some outfits won’t touch now.
“But we’ve done it; we’ve done it properly and it was told sympathetically. That’s why the ratings for a Channel 4 soap in those days were amazing. It was in the millions.”
Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Both Ricky and Sue have been awarded the honour of Freeman of Liverpool and are proud with how Brookside’s success was shaped by the personality of the city it was set in.
86-year-old Ricky, who grew up in Everton, said: “We were away from London. We were away from being told what to do. They decided to do this show the way they wanted it done.
“They picked a perfect cast because everyone who was in it had their heart and soul in it. Both Sue and I are Freemen of the city and whatever we do, we make sure we advertise this city.
“We love it; we both live here and around here. It was important that we made a success of it and we did it.” The Bobby Grant star also pointed to the Liverpool talent on show in the writer’s room, as he said: “Jimmy McGovern, Andy Lynch, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and Alan Swift, to mention a few.”
He laughed: “They reckon Jimmy McGovern can’t win any more awards because he’s got no more room on his mantelpiece.” Sue is also proud of her connection with Merseyside, as the massive Liverpool FC supporter explained how she has been shaped by the Scouse identity.
She said: “I just think grounded. Everything just treats you as another person. There were no stars of this show. I grew up in Prescot. People are fabulous and friendly, but they don’t like people who are above themselves.”
When he announced his return to the show, Ricky said the chance to work with Sue is always one he cherishes. After first sharing the screen together over 40 years ago, the two remain as close as ever and Ricky explained the secret to their bond.
In an interview at the Epstein Theatre, he told the ECHO: “It’s amazing and we’ve had a wonderful time together. She’s an established actress and I’ve never had a clue. [Brookside] was only my second job. I bluffed my way into the job.
“We’re just ordinary, down-to-earth, working-class people who know how lucky we are.” He added: “We both realise how lucky we’ve been to still be doing something we love. There are not a lot of people who can say that.”
Ricky and Sue are just two of the famous faces who are returning to Brookside for the landmark episode. Other faces returning for the episode include Philip Olivier, Suzanne Collins, Michael Starke, John McArdle and Paul Usher.
The Holloaks/Brookside crossover episode will be broadcast on October 22 at 7pm on E4