Sue Johnston surprises former co-star Ricky Tomlinson at Stockport Plaza show

TV royalty Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston were reunited on stage this week more than a decade after one of their most famous shows aired for a final time.

Actor and comedian Ricky was surprised on stage by TV partner Sue as he performed the latest night of his show Irish Annie’s at Stockport Plaza. The musical play by Asa Murphy celebrates the ‘best of Irish culture’ and features well-known live band The Shenanigans.

As well as playing Bobby and Sheila Grant in Brookside, Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston took on the roles of Jim and Barbara Royle in The Royle Family and more recently have appeared on Celebrity Gogglebox and their own More4 show where they take a trip down memory lane looking back on four decades of working together.

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The show, which is coming to the end of its 28-venue tour of the UK and Ireland, sees Ricky play himself as a celebrity guest in the pub. But the much-loved actor, who is also known for his role as DCI Charlie Wise in Cracker and the title character in the film Mike Bassett: England Manager, was caught off guard, as his TV partner Sue Johnston walked on stage to surprise him during the show in Stockport on Tuesday (April 23).

Sue not only surprised her former on-screen TV partner but also the audience, strolling onto stage saying: “I thought I would find you at Irish Annie’s pub.” The couple then went on to regale the crowd with memories of The Royle Family and Brookside, with Sue staying on stage throughout the production and dancing to the show’s Irish tunes.

Speaking after the show, Ricky said: “I had no idea Sue was making an appearance and it was a wonderful surprise. We have worked together