Ricky Tomlinson is a "workaholic" at almost 85 years old.
Ricky Tomlinson is starring in the UK and Ireland tour of Irish Annie's, which runs at various theatres from March until May. © David Munn
The 84-year-old actor has been a mainstay on British television for more than 40 years and explained that even though he should be retiring now, he loves "meeting new people" and "learning different things" as he prepares to play himself and celebrate the culture of Ireland in the national tour of 'Irish Annie's'.
Speaking at a Q+A about the stage show, he said: "I’m a workaholic kid! I know I should be putting my feet up, but I love working and I love getting up and
knowing what I’ve got to do. Every time you go to work you meet different people, hear different stories and learn different things. I have the time of my life and I’ve met some wonderful people."
The Liverpool-born star famously played layabout Jim Royle on the classic BBC sitcom 'The Royle Family' and teased that he has recently reunited with his on-screen wife Barbara (Sue Johnston) - who also played his on-screen wife in the now-defunct Channel 4 soap opera 'Brookside' - for a new travel show.
He said: "I’ve been doing a TV series with Sue Johnston called 'Ricky and Sue Take a Trip or Two'. Working with Sue is a dream. We’ve known each other 40 years now and we’ve had some laughs over the years.
He said: I’ve also just finished my first children’s book and I’m waiting for an illustrator to come and see me. I try it out on my grandkids, and they absolutely love it. It’s an adventure story but it also mentions the environment and looking after the countryside, although it’s not dogmatic."
Ricky also revealed that his favourite character on the BBC sitcom was Nana - played by late 'Vicar of Dibley' actress Liz Smith - and explained that she would even visit the set on her day off and arrive just in time to get a free lunch.
He said: "Nana was my favourite, I loved her. She was amazing. Even on her day off, she’d come on the set, always at lunchtime. I used to say to her – ‘you’re a bloody disgrace you! What do you mean you just happened to be passing? Just as we’re having our lunch?!’ And she’d say: “I AM just passing!”
Ricky Tomlinson is starring as himself in the UK and Ireland tour of 'Irish Annie's', which runs at various theatres from March until May.
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