The 'Royle' family will "probably" return this year.

Ricky Tomlinson

Ricky Tomlinson

Ricky Tomlinson - who is known for playing patriarchal slob James Randolph 'Jim' Royle in the BBC classic - believes there's a big chance the family-loving sitcom could hit screens again in the future as Caroline Aherne, who portrays his on-screen daughter Denise, is eager to start working on new episodes after she recovered from her "rough patch."

Speaking to The Sun newspaper, he said: "Yeah, I think it possibly could [come back]. There could possibly be one this year because Caroline is so much better.

"She had a little rough patch and she's so much better now and God willing we'll probably do one this year."

Caroline, 52, has been battling with ill health for last two years after she was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014.

The blonde beauty - who has also fought bladder and retina cancer - sparked concerns for her health last October when she had to be replaced as the narrator on 'Gogglebox'.

Meanwhile, fans will be delighted to hear 'The Royal Family', which also stars Sue Johnston and Jessica Hynes, is in the pipeline for a return after it left screens in 2002.

The hilarious sitcom, which first aired in 1998, returned for five one-off specials between 2006 and Christmas 2012.