The Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson was left reeling when Caroline Aherne tragically passed away – and had no idea how ill his on-screen daughter was
Ricky Tomlinson was absolutely devastated when he heard the deeply sad news that Caroline Aherne had died.
The Royle Family stars hit it off straight away while filming the iconic series, which ran from 1998 to 2000 – with five special episodes airing from 2006 until 2012.
A sixth was in the works before Caroline tragically passed away from lung cancer at the age of just 52-years-old in 2016.
“Her death is the biggest shock in the world. It’s knocked me for six,” confessed Ricky, who was unaware of how truly ill she was.
Heartbreakingly, the actor actually believed that his on-screen daughter was recovering, but she died alone in her home in Timperley, Cheshire – with only a few close friends and family realising she was very sick.
“I’m so bloody shocked. She was absolutely wonderful and amazing to work for. Kind, funny, witty,” he told The Sunday Mirror. “A true professional and one of the most generous people I ever worked with.”
Caroline has selflessly refused to put her nearest and dearest through the torment she suffered.
