Our Royle tour

Ralf Little and Ricky Tomlinson on swapping the sofa for a camper van

- Rebecca Mahoney

RICKY & RALF’S VERY NORTHERN ROAD TRIP

NEW MONDAY / GOLD / 8PM / EP 1 of 6 / TRAVELOGUE

While playing telly-loving father and son in classic BBC sitcom The Royle Family, Ricky Tomlinson, and Ralf Little never strayed far from their living room – a scenario we’ve all become familiar with recently!

But in Gold’s new six-part travelogue, Ricky & Ralf’s Very Northern Road Trip, the actors, and long-time friends are reuniting for a unique adventure that couch potato Jim Royle and ‘Our Antony’ could only dream about, all filmed well before lockdown, of course.

Beginning and ending in Ricky’s home city of Liverpool, the series follows the pair as they tour across the north of England in a cosy camper van, exploring the Lake and Peak Districts, Whitby’s Gothic history, the bright lights of Blackpool and more.

Pigeon racing, glass blowing and beer brewing are all on their agenda, plus they’ll be sampling culinary delights such as Lancashire hotpots and Yorkshire’s finest puds.

TV Times phoned Ricky, 80, and Ralf, 40, to hear more…