Episode
Sue Johnston: The Royle Family, Brookside and Her Friendship with The Beatles
- Published
- Jul 7, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2884
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Summary
Joining Sally on the sofa this week it's acclaimed actress Sue Johnston. From becoming a household name as Sheila Grant in Brookside to the much-loved Barbara Royle in The Royle Family , Sue looks back on the roles that have defined her extraordinary career. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from the sets of Brookside , Waking the Dead and Downton Abbey , and fondly remembers the laughter she shared with Ricky Tomlinson while making The Royle Family . Sue also reflects on the life and legacy of the late Caroline Aherne, recalling their close friendship and the genius that made The Royle Family such a timeless classic. In an emotional conversation, Sue opens up about one of Brookside 's most groundbreaking storylines, revealing how filming Sheila Grant's shocking attack resonated deeply because it mirrored a traumatic assault she had experienced in her own life. The conversation also turns to Sue's exciting new BBC comedy Ann Droid , where she stars alongside Diane Morgan. She talks about working with Diane, why the series appealed to her, and why she's still as passionate about acting as ever. Plus, Sue reminisces about growing up during the Merseybeat era, Liverpool in the 1960s, and her remarkable friendship with The Beatles, sharing memories from one of the most exciting periods in British pop history. Ann Droid starts on 9.30pm on BBC One on Friday 17th July. The full series will be available on BBC iPlayer from 6am. New episodes drop every Wednesday on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts - plus you can watch each episode on YouTube! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ANightinwithSallyLindsay 📱 Follow A Night in with Sally Lindsay Facebook: https://www.fac…