Caroline Aherne, star of The Royal Family and The Mrs Merton Show, has died at the age of 52, her publicist has announced. She wasn’t in a hospice.
Advertisement
Aherne and her writing partner Craig Cash approached Noel about making a guest appearance in the show, which first aired in 1998, but had to turn it down because of work commitments.
“The Mrs Merton Christmas Show” won the Best Talk Show Bafta in 1997, while “The Royle Family” collected Best Sitcom award in 2000 and 2007.
As mentioned above, Caroline’s battle with cancer began when she was diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer – that shockingly, Patrick also had – soon after she was born…
The Gogglebox star was forced to take time off from narrating the show earlier this year while she received treatment for the disease.
“I don’t see anyone else doing what she did and I do think there is a noticeable gap left in Caroline’s wake”. A boss. A sister, real and (for me) fake.
But they’re comforted by the fact, the Manchester actress and comedian has left a great legacy.
He later wrote, “Thing is, amidst all sadness Caroline would now say something grounded, incisive, and hilarious”.
Funnyman Tim McGarry also paid his respects to Aherne as he remembered one her George Best interview.
Kielty wrote: “Really sad day”. The Royle Family is one of the greatest British comedies.
“She was a brilliant, award winning comedy writer and performer, much loved by audiences – especially for The Royle Family and Mrs Merton and for her wonderful voicing of many shows”. “She’s a very very amusing woman”.This was the last time I saw her.As tributes for Caroline Aherne continue to pour in, it has emerged that the actress may have died alone.
Ricky Tomlinson, who played her father in the hit BBC sitcom, led the online tributes describing her as a “kind, funny, witty” person, who never complained about the hand she had been dealt. “I hadn’t been that impressed with a comedy since Fawlty Towers”, he said.
Advertisement
Little Britain star David Walliams was among many paying tribute, calling her a “true comedy genius”, adding her work was “equally amusing & touching”.
