Ricky Tomlinson opened up about memories he has shared with The Royle Family castmates.
The actor spoke to the ECHO at The National Lottery's Big Eurovision Welcome party in Liverpool on Sunday. The 83-year-old recently returned to Brookside as Bobby Grant ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
He joined a host of famous faces in helping with "some very special BBC filming to demonstrate how this year's contest is 'United by Music'," the broadcaster said. Today, Ricky shared some very special memories of his former The Royle Family cast members, including Caroline Aherne and Geoffrey Hughes who have sadly since died.
Ricky said: "I had a meeting the other day with Sue Johnston, Ralph Little and Craig Cash and we just sat for an hour in the theatre, in an empty theatre, talking about The Royle Family and telling stories and anecdotes and it was wonderful.
"It was like going back to when we were in work. Some of the stories that went on with Caroline Aherne, Twiggy and Nana and stuff it was wonderful. We couldn't wait to go into work.
"Liz Smith who played Nana used to come in on her days off and I used to take the mickey out of her. I used to say 'you're only coming in for a free dinner'.
"She used to have a go with me, but she knew it was all in good sport. She loved it kid."
Speaking about Eurovision coming to Liverpool, Ricky said he was going to "take the atmosphere in" and was ecstatic when it was announced it would be hosted in the city.
He added: "I am thrilled that they have chosen to come here and I know they're going to get a warm reception. They know people are going to meet and greet. There's loads of wonderful places for people to go to.
"This will live on when they've packed their instruments up and gone home. This will live on. And why I am so delighted to be here today is that there are so many youngsters, there are so many kids who are going to be taking part. That will live with them forever."
The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 officially kicked off in Liverpool today with the Turquoise Carpet and The National Lottery's Big Eurovision Welcome party. This year's acts took to the carpet in a glamorous celebration welcoming them to the city.
Later on The National Lottery's Big Eurovision Welcome took over, hosting a range of chart-topping stars and classic Eurovision acts. The show included aerial performers, drone shows and a one of a king lighting display that will be directly projected against St George's Hall.
AJ Odudu and Joel Dommett presented the evening which will later be broadcast on BBC ONE the following night.
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