The Royle Family

A sitcom that breaks the usual rules which achieves an excellence that means you can watch it again and again. Here are some details of the episodes and a few facts pointed out. Jim and Barbara Royle, the parents of Denise and Anthony, with Dave Best, Denise's fiance, Barbara's mother Norma, Joe and Mary from next door with their daughter Cheryl and Twiggy, a family friend. Everyone else is just talked about, mainly round the telly! We also meet a friend of Anthony's, Darren, and his girlfriend in the second series, Emma. We see then in the living room around the TV, occasionally in the kitchen, or the dining room, we see the stairs and a bedroom and the bathroom.

The theme music is 'Half the World Away' performed by 'Oasis'. Filmed by Granada for the BBC, originally first shown on BBC2 (first series), the second series went onto BBC1, and is repeated on UK Gold, UK Play and BBC Choice.

Profiles

Jim Royle (Ricky Tomlinson)

Bearded and bespectacled, his toilet habits are not secret. His favourite phrase is 'my arse'. He likes to think he is the boss, and the rest of the family, most of the time accept his authority. He plays the banjo but he's not too fond of the mother in law!

Barbara Royle (Sue Johnston)

She has just taken on a job at the bakers, she does all the cooking, and complains (sometimes) about the language.

Denise Royle (Caroline Aherne)

Complains bitterly about things that her brother Anthony does that she's not happy about, usually getting her mum to scold him! Intensely jealous about Beverly Macca(sp?) former brief girlfriend of Dave, likes her drink, many big ideas, but just can't seem to find the energy to make the effort.

Anthony Royle (Ralf Little)

When the phone rings, or there's someone at the door, or its time for a brew, it's Anthony's job. Running to the shop, or doing anything wrong as far as his sister is concerned, yep, he cops for it.

Dave Best (Craig Cash)

You've heard the rest, now hear the best, Dave Best mobile disco. And Denise of course, he likes his ale. He also works during the day with a van, doing removals or house clearances.

Joe Carroll from next door (Peter Martin)

Joe doesn't say much. No.

Mary Carroll from next door (Doreen Keogh)

Mary is Irish and shares her philosophy with us.

Cheryl Carroll from next door (Jessica Stevenson)

Cheryl is on a diet, but she's not too successful. She hasn't got a boyfriend, but she's hopeful. She totally sympathizes with Denise.

Twiggy (Geoffrey Hughes)

The local wheeler-dealer, an uncomplicated view of life who is willing to help anyone out.

Norma Speakman (Liz Smith)

She doesn't drink at all, apart from a sherry at Christmas, Whiskey at New Year, Champagne at the wedding and a bottle of stout of a night. Prefers her tea in a china cup, but prefers her own toilet.

Darren (Andrew Whyment)

Anthony's best mate and he's bent the odd law or two.

Emma (Sheridan Smith)

Anthony's posh girlfriend from Altrincham

First Series

1. • First Line: Jim Royle: "Ninety-eight quid. Ninety-eight quid. Its good to talk my arse".
   • Someone has been ringing Aberdeen. Barbara is preparing for her new job at the bakers. Denise orders a leather jacket from Cheryl's catalogue. Twiggy brings round some jeans and Jim buys a pair. Dave is doing a disco for Beverly Macca at the Feathers.
   • Notables: Anthony is 15, TFI Friday was on the TV so we assume it was a Friday.
   • Dave's Tea: Corned beef hash.
   • Last Line: Jim Royle: "Ay, go on".
2. • First line: Jim Royle: "Where's mine Barb?"
   • They are having tea, but Denise is upset about the bean juice on her chop. Denise talks about having pasta for tea when she's married. Charlie Liddle down the Feathers. Dave has his new business cards (From Knutsford Service Station). Jim goes for an Eartha Kitt. Jacko over the road has got a 'new' car, Barbara tells us the bodywork is red.
   • Dave's Tea: Sausage and chips, but no gravy.
   • Anthony's nicknames: Lurch, Grumpy, Mallet head.
   • Notables: Barbara has her feet up, the camera pans back to a shot of the TV with Vanessa on it, with her feet up. Barbara says 'tell me if I ever get like that'. They all stand at the window looking at Jacko's new car. They talk about 'leggings' Lorraine, while Denise and Barbara are in leggings themselves. The also talk about them gawping through the window!
   • Last line: Jim Royle: "There must be bloody something on mustn't there?"
3. • First line: Norma: "That were a lovely dinner Barbara, you see, that's the thing if you line on your own. It's not worth doing a chicken just for one, it's too much for one meal. You see, you can get four or five meals out of a chicken, you're sick of it by Thursday."
   • Norma comes round for lunch. Denise tries on the wedding dress, Dave has a bad pint down the pear tree, and Joe says he doesn't like the bitter. Barbara brought some damaged cakes from the bakers. Dave is doing the quiz night down the Pear Tree. They place bets on the values at the Antiques Roadshow. Jim goes for a Tom Tit. Norma goes back home in the back of Dave's van.
   • Anthony's nicknames: Basin head, Gay boy, Lazy Arse.
   • Notables: Anthony again says he is 15. It is stated it is Sunday.
   • Last Line: Jim Royle: "Has she my arse".
4. • First Line: Barbara Royle: "I've only got paracetamol this should do the trick".
   • It's Jim's birthday, and Denise has a hangover after a lock in at the Feathers.
   • Anthony's nicknames:
   • Dave's tea: Liver and onions.
   • Notables: Jim and Barbara must have been married around 25 years as this is how long Norma has known Jim (Birthday card of a golfer).
   • Last Line:
5. • First Line:
   • Anthony's nicknames:
   • Dave's tea:
   • Notables:
   • Last Line:
6. • First Line:
   • Dave and Denise are getting married. Denise hates her hair, Dave's arse is going like that, and Jim has the runs.
   • Anthony's nicknames:
   • Dave's tea:
   • Notables:
   • Last Line:

Second Series

• First Line:
• Dave and Denise have some news, they're pregnant, but Norma is too busy watching Coronation Street to bother with the news. Next door are congratulating the couple, and Dave's mate will be godparent as Dave owes him 200. Cheryl will be a godparent and will do all the babysitting.
• Anthony's nicknames:
• Dave's tea:
• Notables:
• Last Line:
1. • First Line:
   • Anthony's nicknames:
   • Dave's tea:
   • Notables:
   • Last Line:
2. • First Line:
   • Anthony's nicknames:
   • Dave's tea:
   • Notables:
   • Last Line:
3. • First Line:
   • Anthony's nicknames:
   • Dave's tea:
   • Notables:
   • Last Line:
4. • First Line:
   • Anthony's nicknames:
   • Dave's tea:
   • Notables:
   • Last Line:
5. • First Line:
   • It is Anthony's 18th, and we meet Emma, and Darren. Jim gets the banjo out, and Joe gets a bit drunk and starts to sing.
   • Anthony's nicknames:
   • Dave's tea:
   • Notables: Anthony's age jumps from 15 (1st series) to 18.
   • Last Line:

Christmas Special

• First Line:
• Denise goes into early labour while Dave is taking Norma home.
• Anthony's nicknames:
• Dave's tea:
• Notables: Dave gives Norma a lift home on a bike, is this the FS1E talked about in the 2nd episode?
• Last Line:

Third Series

1. Baby David (remember Dave's dad is also called Dave)
3. Three weeks to Baby David's christening and Barbara wants the living room redecorated with woodchip. Dave lost his van. Cheryl got some accurate scales, on which she is lighter. Denise has post baby fatigue.
   Notables:The local radio mentions an event in Breadbury, which is Stockport.

   
   

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