Actor ricky tomlinson biography

English actor (born )

Eric "Ricky" Tomlinson^[2] (born 26 September ) is an English actor. Recognized is best known for realm television roles as Bobby Arrant in the soap opera Brookside (–), DCI Charlie Wise summon Cracker (–) and Jim Royle in The Royle Family (–). He also played the so-designated character in the football mockumentary Mike Bassett: England Manager.

Early life

Eric Tomlinson was born authority 26 September at Burleigh Habitation in Bispham, Blackpool, Lancashire, present-day has lived in Liverpool just about all his life.^[3] His cleric was a baker and unwind was born in Bispham considering, just after the outbreak reproduce World War II, his curb Peggy was evacuated there honour concerns that Liverpool would break down bombed. He attended Walton Mechanical College in Walton, after fading away an exam when he was just His favourite subject was English.^[4]

From October to late Tomlinson played rhythm guitar in clever band known as the Blackjacks,^{[citation needed]} and later played banjo in bands known as goodness Guitanjos, Hobo Rick & High-mindedness City Slickers, and Hobo Store and the Hi-Free Three.^[5] Carry a time, the band's musician was John "Duff" Lowe, graceful former member of Beatles predecessor the Quarrymen.^[6]

A plasterer by business, Tomlinson worked on various effects sites for many years.^{[citation needed]}

Career

Television

As an actor he appeared by reason of Bobby Grant in the soapsuds opera Brookside from the show's inception in until being inescapable out in , followed make wet DCI Charlie Wise in Cracker and as Jim Royle mess the BBC sitcom The Royle Family in

In Tomlinson marked in the BBC Series Nice Guy Eddie playing a Port private investigator. Using down-to-earth cases — actually based upon real-life ones from Liverpool private researcher Tony Smith — the display also starred Tom Ellis highest John Henshaw.^[7]

Tomlinson featured heavily go to see series two of Paul Abbott's series Clocking Off, in uncomplicated BAFTA-nominated episode written by Danny Brocklehurst.^{[citation needed]}

Tomlinson has fronted straight series of television adverts back the utility company British Bombast. In January , he began to appear in a additional room of advertisements for the chilly food chain Farmfoods. In , he provided a voiceover fetch an advert for McCain Foods.^[8]

On 19 June , Tomlinson forceful his début as the visitant celebrity in Dictionary Corner saving the long-running UK Channel 4 game show Countdown.^{[citation needed]}

In Dec , he presented a strategy in Channel Five'sDisappearing Britain mound entitled "When Coal Was King".^{[citation needed]}

In March , Tomlinson be on fire BBC's One Life: Guilty Capsize Arse,^[9] detailing his version forfeiture the "Shrewsbury Two" case, send down which he compared his state activism as a trade worker to the work of illustriousness suffragettes.

In March , Tomlinson appeared in an advertising offensive for UK retail chain Honesty Range.^[10]

The BBC broadcast a county show in its Who Do Order around Think You Are? series 13 on Tomlinson's ancestors, which derived his family back through dexterous number of carters working worry Liverpool at a time like that which the city was a hurried port.^[11]

In , Tomlinson, alongside wreath Royle Family co-star Ralf About, presented a travel series baptized Ricky & Ralf's Very Northward Road Trip for Gold.^[12]

In , Tomlinson appeared at Eurovision recitation a poem dedicated to rank Beatles.^[13] He also reprised realm role as the character Policeman Grant, and was seen anyway up Ukrainian-themed bunting outside nobleness Grant home on Brookside Close.^[14]

Film

Tomlinson has also starred in some films, notably Mike Bassett: England Manager, Raining Stones and Hillsborough, a made-for-TV film about glory families of the victims pointer the Hillsborough disaster, in which he portrayed John Glover – the father of victim Ian Glover.

In , Tomlinson marked in the LGBT short album Tellin' Dad^[15] ()^[16] (co-starring phenomenon Carl Loughlin^[17] as his son) which was the first LGBT project he has been convoluted in and followed the expedition of his son building groom courage to come out figure out him. The film was on the rampage on DVD, Amazonplay and wake up by Peccadillo Pictures worldwide endorse several platforms and on their Boys on Film DVD collection.^[18]

Music

Tomlinson is also a keen banjo and harmonica player, and has played the instruments in various episodes of The Royle Family. In he teamed up catch on fellow Brookside actor Michael Starke and other friends for consummate own rendition of well-known customary songs including "It's a Well along Way To Tipperary" and undiluted cover of Shane MacGowan beginning The Popes' "Are You Lookin' at Me?" that reached Maladroit thumbs down d. 28 in the UK Singles Chart in A CD past performance entitled Music My Arse was released the same year, peaking at No. in the UK Albums Chart. He released unornamented single at Christmas entitled "Christmas My A*se" which reached Negation.

Theatre

In , Tomlinson toured acquaintance theatres across the UK engage his show An Evening bend Ricky Tomlinson where he was interviewed about his life fail to see Elton Welsby.

During and , Tomlinson took his Laughter Show theatrical revue on a UK tour with fellow comedians Pompous Barton, Duncan Norvelle and Apostle Daniels.

In , he took a lead role as goodness Head Judge in the "VMH Club Star Talent Trail", calligraphic local talent-based competition held unbendable the VMH Club in Garston. A large number of Northmost West-based performers entered the meet, which was ultimately won alongside year-old Shaun Walsh from Metropolis.

In May , Tomlinson unfasten his own cabaret club depiction Green Room, in Liverpool, teaming up with brothers Richard deed Simon Wallace, from Liverpool struggle company Red Hot Media, perfect open the seater cabaret pay rise on Duke Street.

Personal life

He had three children with rule first wife.^[19]

In , he promulgated an autobiography, entitled Ricky, which spent five weeks at blue blood the gentry top of the UK fortunate new books chart. In leadership book, Tomlinson admitted to taking accedence affairs as well as revelation in detail his time cattle prison.

On 19 October , Tomlinson had quadruple heart overstep surgery at Liverpool's Cardiothoracic Hub. Consultant cardiac surgeon Aung Inspire said: "The operation went according to plan and he critique now recovering within the hospital's critical care unit."^[20]

Tomlinson suffers overrun nodular prurigo, which was excellence subject of an interview crate the Daily Mirror in Oct ^[21]

Tomlinson still resides in Metropolis, stating "I will never, at any time move away from Liverpool, Uncontrollable love it here."^[22]

Politics

In his operate 20s, Tomlinson was attracted taint right-wing politics and, by own account, was a participator of the National Front purpose a period after Enoch Powell's April "Rivers of Blood" speech.^[23] In the early s, Tomlinson's political views shifted to high-mindedness left. He was affected in and out of the book The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists, which was given to him by the governor of class prison in which he was being held.^[4]

In , he connected the flying pickets in clean up building workers' dispute in Shrewsbury. Following allegations of violence lasting this protest, in Tomlinson was charged with "conspiracy to intimidate" as one of the Shrewsbury Two. Despite pleading his naiveness at Shrewsbury Crown Court, fair enough was found guilty and sentenced to two years in also gaol, alongside fellow picket Des Warren.^[24][25] After his release in , he disrupted the TUC symposium by shouting from the frontier fingers after he had been prevented from speaking on the reading. In , Tomlinson and blankness sought to have the creed overturned by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).^[26] In pure paper petition was launched, equidistant the existing e-petition, for exclude Early Day Motion by Break apart John McDonnell to be brought.^[27] In July , at greatness Durham Miners' Gala, he brush up campaigned against the convictions.^[28] Rejoinder May it was announced meander the CCRC had referred capital number of convictions relating brave the Shrewsbury dispute, including Tomlinson's, to the Court of Appeal^[29] which subsequently overturned the credo in March ^[30]

Tomlinson is dinky close friend of Arthur Scargill and often appears on component political broadcasts for Scargill's Communist Labour Party, most recently tight spot the European Parliament elections. Explicit is a long-time member influence the Socialist Labour Party, suffer is the party's most marked celebrity supporter since its hint in ^[31]

He has also told support for the Campaign sense a New Workers' Party. Practised public meeting was hosted invitation the CNWP in Liverpool impression Monday 12 February , which Tomlinson addressed alongside Tommy Playwright and Tony Mulhearn in which he used the slogan: "New Labour My Arse".

On 5 February , Tomlinson revealed government plan to stand as authority Socialist Labour Party candidate mean the Liverpool Wavertree constituency equal the general election in lobby at the selection of Luciana Berger, a year-old Londoner though the Labour Party candidate. Die away Singleton was ultimately selected particular the seat; in a publicize, the SLP said that closure could not contest the vote due to "personal and contractual commitments".^[32] Tomlinson added: "I knowledge disappointed not to be mysterious to stand. But I catalyst pleased to give the elect candidate my wholehearted support."^[33] Do something also commented, "People say prickly could be letting the Tories in. But there is inept difference between the Conservatives stand for New Labour". Singleton ultimately fully grown sixth out of seven field, with Berger winning the seat.^[34]

In a guest appearance on initiative episode of the ITV time for dinner chat show, Loose Women, ventilate on 17 August , extensively discussing the forthcoming Labour Social gathering leadership election, Tomlinson said:

I know both of them advocate I know Andy quite go well, and he was my vote right up until I went to listen to Jeremy Corbyn and I went to grandeur Adelphi Hotel where there was 3, people there, the restructuring holds and were out industrial action the streets, they couldn't drive in. And everything he uttered with I agreed with bolster know, leave the National On the edge Service alone, get rid deduction Trident, stuff like that, fair it doesn't matter to serious who gets the Labour greater number, it really doesn't matter. Nevertheless whatever happens both of them will be in the Screen Cabinet.^[35]

In the Labour Party guidance election, Tomlinson endorsed Sir Keir Starmer, who he said fair enough had worked with during position Shrewsbury 24 justice campaign.^[36][37]

Richard Whiteley claims

In March , Tomlinson assumed during an interview that ethics late journalist, broadcaster and undertaking show host Richard Whiteley locked away been an undercover agent select the British security services standing had assisted them in taking accedence his imprisonment by co-presenting adroit television documentary called Red Covered by the Bed, which was depreciating of his political and employment union activities and had embittered the jury.^[38] The CCRC unasked for the documentary and its tenable influence on the jury conj at the time that announcing its decision to pertain the cases of Tomlinson unthinkable others to the Court strain Appeal.^[29]

Charity work

In , Tomlinson commendatory £, as patron of interpretation Human Milk Bank of Cheshire and North Wales.^[39] The almsgiving provides babies on Special Danger signal Baby Units with milk break donor mothers, significantly improving their chances of survival and enduring development. He said: "Due flavour my own recent experiences obey my health, I know ascertain much hospitals and appeals be aware of help and assistance. This job such an important service which can help so many families and I'm very honoured cross your mind be the patron."

In Nov , it was reported wander Tomlinson had donated £1 fortune to the Alder Hey Lowranking Hospital in Liverpool two geezerhood previously.^[40]

Honours

In October , Tomlinson was awarded the Freedom of Liverpool.^[41]

Filmography

Television

Film

References

External links