Aherne, who co-wrote, directed and starred in “The Royle Family”, had revealed two years ago that she had been undergoing treatment for lung cancer in her home city of Manchester.
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Rod explained that Caroline was part of the Manchester comedy scene along with the likes of Coogan and Henry Normal and they inspired each other to create a phenomenon greater than the sum of its parts.
“She used this next song on a very very very very brilliant sitcom in England called The Royle Family”. “She left on her own”.
Ricky ended: ‘Her death is the biggest shock in the world. “I was with Rita, my wife, and I’d been nominated for something at the Royal Television Society”, he said. “I can’t think of anything, but she would”.
“She explained to me She didn’t really like awards events but had to collect the “Les”, as she was such a massive fan and especially as it was given to her in Manchester. A true comedy genius, her work was equally amusing & touching”.
The actress, who narrated the Channel 4 show, has died at the age of 52.
Fellow comedian Jason Manford added: “Awful news about Caroline Aherne”.
And he shared a memorable conversation between their characters on “The Royle Family”, writing Antony’s quote about Denise’s husband, “Dave eats like a pig and you never say owt to him”, followed by her reply, “That’s asthma, thanks very much!”
Speaking on Radio Five Live, Peter Kessler, when asked by presenter Stephen Nolan if his former colleague was happy with her success, said his perception was “she was happier before she was successful”.
He added: “Every week when you finished filming there would always be a little present”.
Caroline’s on-screen lay about dad was played by Ricky Tomlinson.
“Who can blame her?” That shows just how far reaching her talent was.
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And, on reflection on her time in hospital, Caroline commented on the experience: “So many amusing things happen when you’re in there and, looking back, you do have a right laugh with the nurses, although I was on morphine, so maybe it was just me laughing”. Her hair, beneath her wig, had regrown and she was painfully thin, but despite all this she was on wonderful form, the Caroline I knew and loved working with. “This was the last time I saw her. I’m grateful for that fact, as that was how I would want to remember her”.
