Ricky Tomlinson open to long-term Brookside return
Ricky Tomlinson "would certainly think" about reprising his role as Bobby Grant should Brookside return on a long-term basis following its one-off revival for the 30th anniversary of fellow Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.
Ricky Tomlinson would be willing to star in a full-time Brookside revival.
The 86-year-old actor is reprising his role as Bobby Grant for the one-off return of the show as part of Hollyoaks' 30th anniversary celebrations and would be open to playing the character if the Liverpool-set soap returned on a permanent basis.
Asked about a full-time return, Ricky told the Radio Times magazine: "I would certainly think about it.
"I do other stuff and have got grandchildren now so I spend a lot of time with them. I've just done my first children's book called Maggie and Jack and the Rusty Key, named after two of my grandkids.
"It would be a big commitment if Brookie came back full-time, but I'd seriously consider it, because it was very good to me and to the city of Liverpool."
Ricky was at the centre of several hard-hitting storylines in his portrayal of Bobby on the Channel 4 soap between 1982 and 1988 and "didn't hesitate" when offered the opportunity to portray the character again.
He said: "I never thought it would happen, but when they said they were doing something that would mean more work for actors and publicity for Liverpool – because I'm a freeman of the city and take that very seriously – I didn't hesitate.
"I told them: 'Just tell me where and when you want me and I'll be there!'"
Brookside's return will also see Sue Johnston back as Bobby's ex-wife Sheila Grant and the former Coronation Street star explained that the pair have "different" ways of working – even though they subsequently played married couple Jim and Barbara Royle in the BBC sitcom The Royle Family.
The 81-year-old actress said: "Ricky and I have chemistry and history, obviously, because after Brookside we did The Royle Family.
"I remember Caroline Aherne telling us we were going to be her mum and dad, she loved Bobby and Sheila and wanted to bring us back together.
"I love Ricky, but we work very differently, he calls me 'the classical actress' just because I went to drama school!"
Brookside was one of Channel 4's most popular programmes during the 1980s and 1990s and Sue felt that it captured the imagination because it was "different" from other soap operas.
The Truelove star said: "It was different, and relevant to people's lives. Although (conservative activist) Mary Whitehouse went berserk in the beginning because of the swearing!
"All of us were learning on the job, and that excitement transferred to the screen, you felt the commitment and love for it."
