Life of The Royle Family creator Caroline Aherne to be celebrated in new BBC programme

The life of actor and comedian Caroline Aherne is to be celebrated in a new BBC show this Christmas. Aherne, who was a major part of the hit Manchester-based sitcom ‘The Royle Family’ died back in 2016. 

Caroline was one of the show's three creators and was a writer for the sitcom. She also of course played the leading role of Denis Best, daughter of Barbara (Sue Johnston) and Jim (Ricky Tomlinson). 

Her work in portraying the working class Manchester family won Aherne lots of plaudits, as well as three Bafta Awards. Her impact on the world of comedy has not been forgotten and will live on. 

The film traces Aherne’s life from childhood in Wythenshawe, Manchester, through her early adventures as a (rare) woman on Manchester’s alternative stand-up scene and the breakthrough moment when the BBC commissioned The Mrs Merton Show, when she fast became a national icon and surreptitious satirist-in-chief of mid-90s’ celebrity culture.

The programme will also feature never before seen photos of Caroline and have contributions from some of her close friends. These include Steve Coogan, John Thomson, Craig Cash and producer Andy Harries.

This Christmas 'Caroline Aherne: Queen of Comedy’ is set to showcase the amazing life of the actor and writer. It will air on BBC 2 on Christmas Day at 10.25pm- the day after what would have been her 60th birthday. 

The programme will round off an evening of shows influenced by Caroline. at 9pm, Ricky Tomlinson looks back on the Royle Family and the work of Aherne in 'Ricky Tomlinson Remembers... The Royle Family'.

At 9.15pm, there will be the series 2 Christmas special of 'The Royle Family' and this will be followed by 'The Mrs Merton Show'. All of these are on BBC 2 on Christmas Day.