Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson is heading to Hartlepool

Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson will answer questions and tell his colourful life story that has included political activism in the 1970s, battling homelessness and finding fame.

BBC Tees DJ Paul ‘Goffy’ Gough is organising the night at the Belle Vue Social Club on Thursday, April 13.

Ricky as Jim Royle and the cast of The Royle Family. Picture by Matt Squires/BBC

He said he is pleased to be bringing a big name personality to tow.

Hartlepool-born Paul said: “I have travelled around the country with Ricky doing the show. He talks about all his many years in the business and things like The Royle Family, Brookside and Mike Bassett England Manager and his personal life.

“He is a massive character and is great value, nothing is hidden. He is a great talker and has got a great story to tell.

“At one stage he was homeless and jobless having to fight to survive, to giving £1 million to a children’s charity.”

Ricky hit the headlines last week when he reportedly claimed Countdown Host Richard Whitely was a spy.

It was said to have been when Whitely was involved with a 1973 anti-trade union TV documentary called Red Under The Bed.

Ricky served 16 months of a two-year prison sentence for his part in a strike in 1972.

Paul said he believes people in Hartlepool identify with Ricky and is confident the night will be a success.

He added: “Ricky understands that people have stood by him over a long period of time and a lot of people will associate with what he is.

“He is a massive fans of social clubs and said he wanted to do more shows in towns where he has a lot of fans. “He has played all the big cities and I am pleased to be bringing him to Hartlepool.

“If it goes well I would like to do more as I think Hartlepool should have big names like this.”

Ricky will also be bringing an as yet unconfirmed act from his own Green Room club in Liverpool for the night which starts at 8.15pm.

The actor is best known for playing layabout dad Jim Royle in The Royle Family, which ran from 1998 to 2012.

In the 80s, he became a household name as Bobby Grant in gritty Channel Four soap Brookside, when he starred alongside his Royle Family wife Sue Johnston.

Tickets for the Hartlepool show are £15 available from Goffy Media on 07990 588424.