Grief at cancer death of Caroline
Co-stars pay tribute to the comic genius behind Royle Family
Character, legend, boss, sister, real and (for me) fake, writer, genius, friend. Goodbye.
The award-laden creator and star of the Royle Family was best known to a new generation of viewers as the acerbic narrator of Channel 4’s Gogglebox.
She had carved her stellar reputat ion with br il l iant performances in The Fast Show before her blue-rinsed chat show host Mrs Merton took the world of British comedy by storm.
That was followed in 1998 with BBC’s The Royle Family – a show which changed TV comedy forever.
It featured a working class family watching TV in the front room with the action never leaving the house.
Ricky Tomlinson who played Caroline’s TV dad Jim Royle said: “I ’ m so blo ody shocked. She was one of the most generous people I have ever worked with.
“She was absolutely wonderful and amazing to work for. Kind, funny, witty. A true professional.”
And Ralf Little, who as “Our Anthony” was Carol ine’s character Denise’s younger br o t he r in th e Ro yl e Family,tweeted: “Sorry for silence – I just... don’t know what to say. What a sad, sad day. We’ve lost another one of our best.
“A character. A legend. A boss. A sister, real and (for me) fake. A boss. A writer. An actor. A genius. A f r iend. Big , big hear t . Goodbye. X”
Sue Johnston, who played Denise’s mother Barbara, said: “I am devastated at her passing and I am numb with grief.”
The much-loved star died in the peace and tranquility of her home, following a long and reoccurring battle with cancer.
She revealed two years ago that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer, having previously had bladder and eye cancer.
“My brother and I were born with cancer of the eyes, the retina.
“My mum told us only special people get cancer.
“I must be very special because I have had it in my lungs and bladder as well,” Aherne said at the time.
Neil Reading, her publicist, said: “Caroline Aherne has sadly passed away, after a brave battle with cancer.
“The Bafta award- winning writer and comedy actor died earlier today at her home in Timperley, Greater Manchester. She was 52. The family ask for privacy at this very sad time.”
Caroline, who had been a smoker, had struggled with health problems for years.
She had fought depression and drink problems and spent time in the Priory Clinic following a suicide attempt, before moving to Australia to avoid the glare of publicity.
The British public took her to their hearts.
As the OAP chat show host, she came with one of the most quoted lines in TV history when she asked Debbie McGee: “What first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?”
McGee tweeted on Saturday: “Just heard the very sad news about Caroline Aherne, she was wonderful especially as Mrs Merton. My interview will be a treasured memory RIP.”
The touching Chr istmas episode of the Royle Family which saw Denise give birth in the bathroom of the house where the entire series was set also won huge critical acclaim.
The show was the toast of the 1999 British Comedy Awards, scooping four trophies including best actress for Caroline.
Caroline was born to Irish immigrant parents in London, but grew up in Wy th e n s h aw e in Manchester.
Af t e r he r diagnosis of cancer of the ret i na , t he local Catholic church raised funds to send her to Lourdes in search of a miracle cure.
Caroline was left with severely impaired sight in one eye.
She ga ined
I am so bloody shocked. She was amazing to work with. Kind. Funny. Witty