Royle Family actress Sue Johnston lifted the lid on what it was like living in the Mersesyside town where she grew up.
The 78-year-old was born in Warrington and grew up in Prescot with her "large extended family". The former Brookside star spoke to The Guardian back in August about life in the town.
Sue said she "didn't have a wealthy childhood" growing up in the town but had many special memories.
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She said: "I was an only child but never felt I was on my own. I grew up in Merseyside and had lots of cousins who lived nearby, so I could enjoy a large extended family as well as my own company. I'm gregarious but I still like isolation to this day.
"I didn't have a wealthy childhood but it was wonderful. No one had many material possessions, a television or a car, so we were all equal. My dad would string a net up in the garden and we'd play badminton or play in the street."
Sue made her television debut on soap Coronation Street aged 38 in the summer of 1982, playing the role of Mrs Chadwick, the wife of a bookmaker. This was a small recurring role.
Sue is known for playing some well-loved and iconic characters. She played Barbara Royle in The Royle Family for the three seasons of the comedy series, beginning in 1998. Her performance as Barbara earned her Best Comedy Performance at the 2000 BAFTAs as well as Best Comedy Actress at the British Comedy Awards the same year.
And that wasn't the first time she'd acted alongside actor Ricky Tomlinson. Sue was also revered for her portrayal of Sheila Grant (her onscreen husband Robert Grant was played by Ricky) in Channel 4's Brookside. Sheila appeared in Brookside from the first episode in 1982 until the character's departure in 1990.
Prescot is very different now to when Sue grew up there. This year the new theatre Shakespeare North Playhouse opened its doors to the public.
The venue is home to the only 17th-century style, timber-built "Cockpit" theatre outside London and is able to seat 450 spectators. Built entirely during the pandemic with public funds and donations, the new venue is anticipated to attract more than 140,000 visitors a year.
The venue is also home to a fully-accessible outdoor performance garden funded by the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation, an exhibition gallery, a 60-seater studio theatre, learning centre, events spaces, and a café and bar with outdoor piazza.
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