Tomlinson seeks Xmas special

Ricky Tomlinson is hoping for a Royle Family Christmas special.

And he says he will try to persuade creator Caroline Aherne to return to the screen, even though she vowed not to because of the effect on her private life.

She recently returned from Australia, where she fled to write the BBC2 sitcom Dossa an Joe because she felt hounded by journalists.

Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, Ricky told the Daily Mirror: "I'd love to do a Christmas Royle Family special. Caroline has moved back to England so when I get home I'm going to give her a call and try and persuade her to get working on a one-off special."

Published: 22 May 2002