RICKY TOMLINSON People sho ‘My arse’ me 50 time day.. I love
RICKY Tomlinson still gets a Royle welcome wherever he goes.
It has been almost a decade since Ricky last played loveable layabout Jim on the comedy The Royle Family, but the character is still just as popular.
And fans just can’t resist shouting his catchphrase: “My arse!”
Ricky said: “If I go out at about 8am, by lunchtime if 50 people haven’t shouted ‘My arse’ across the road or as they pass me then I think there’s something wrong.
“And when I go to watch Liverpool play, people come over and ask if I’ll do a photo with them. I say, ‘Certainly, you can have as many as you bloody want.’ That’s what it’s about.”
Fans who don’t get to see Ricky in the flesh still make sure he knows how much they love him by sending him letters. He added: “I love people who write in. I still get fan mail about The Royle Family and I love to reply to them.
“They take the time and trouble to write to a character called Jim who they feel like they know. They say, ‘You’re just like my grandad.’ There are loads of people like Jim in real life.”
Ricky enjoyed every second he spent playing the character on the show, which ran for 25 episodes between 1998 and 2012. Even now he often catches it on telly.
But ever since its creator – his co-star Caroline Aherne – passed away in 2016, watching it has been bittersweet.
He said: “I love it when I see episodes. It is emotional to watch them. I loved Caroline Aherne. She was a one-off. She was so talented.”
Ricky has fond memories of his days on set. Every week, cast and crew would party together.
He said: “When we finished work on a Friday, Caroline used to put a couple of decorators’ tables up and she’d put a few cans of Sainsbury’s mild beer for me, a couple of cans of lager for the camera lads and there would be a couple of bottles of wine for Sue Johnston and Caroline.
“Everyone from wardrobe to make-up got a lottery ticket off Caroline.”
Ricky has had a string of film and TV roles many actors would kill for, but he’s still best known for the show. And he wouldn’t change a thing – especially not his way of life.
He said: “I still live in Liverpool. I wouldn’t like anywhere else. And I stock up on things in pound shops. I’m very happy with life.
“I’ve had a fabulous life, I’ve got a tremendous wife and a lovely family.”