Ricky Tomlinson - in pictures
Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson appears at the Shrewsbury Music Hall on February 27. We look back at his career to date.
Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson appears at the Shrewsbury Music Hall on February 27 - we look back at his career to date. Before making his name as an actor, he hit the headlines as a trade union campaigner. He was jailed for two years in 1973 on a charge of conspiracy for his part in the flying pickets. The Royle family star and his fellow defendant Des Warren, who died in 2004, became known as the Shrewsbury Two after being jailed at Shrewsbury Crown Court. nextpage
The Shrewsbury Two always maintained their innocence and former plasterer Tomlinson now claims their trial was politically motivated. He is campaigning for a pardon.
After starring in the early storylines of Channel 4 soap Brookside, Tomlinson appeared alongside Robbie Coltrane in crime series Cracker during the mid-1990s.nextpage
Tomlinson became a household name when he was cast as layabout Jim Royle in BBC sitcom The Royle Family. The downbeat style of the show made it a hit with audiences and critics.
The success of the Royle Family saw Tomlinson catapulted to appear alongside Hollywood star Samuel L Jackson and Robert Carlyle in crime film The 51st State.
Tomlinson took the big screen title role in Mike Bassett: England Manager in 2002.
His likeable personality has made him a regular on the awards circuit. In 2006 he won a Lafta Legend prize, courtesy of lads mag Loaded.
Having fronted a heart awareness campaign last year, the 68-year-old Liverpudlian underwent a quadruple heart bypass in October. Following a successful recovery, he is now touring with his live show again.
