As part of a brand-new More4 series, national TV icons Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston have teamed up to highlight everything Liverpool has to offer.
The beloved duo is reunited in Ricky, Sue, & a Trip or Two as they embark on three unique road trips to discover some of the locations that have influenced their lives.
More than 40 years have passed since Ricky and Sue made their on-screen debut as husband and wife in Brookside Close. They later portrayed the adored couple Jim and Barbara Royle on The Royle Family and, most recently, shared a sofa on Celebrity Gogglebox.
Now, in their brand-new three-part series, which is produced by Nine Lives Media in Birmingham and Liverpool-based LA Productions, the two travel to both new and cherished locations.
The first episode, which premieres on Tuesday, March 19 at 9pm, takes viewers to Liverpool as Ricky and Sue begin their road trip by visiting Brookside Close, the location of their story’s beginning, where they spent six years portraying Bobby and Sheila Grant.
Next on their itinerary is the famous Cavern Club on Mathew Street, with detours to the Georgian Quarter and Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club. Plus, the two went to Bongo’s Bingo to take a peek at Liverpool’s vibrant nightlife.
Ricky, who has lived in Liverpool almost his whole life, said:
“Sue and I have had a lot of laughs and a lot of memories over the years. This new series gives us a chance to put the world to rights as we explore places treasured to us and to many others around Britain.”
After visiting a theatre in Coventry, where Sue performed as a young actress, Ricky and Sue head to the Midlands. From there, they head to Birmingham in pursuit of the ideal curry.
A moving visit to Shrewsbury Prison, where Ricky was a prisoner in the 1970s, is also featured in the episode. A full pardon was granted to him 48 years later.
Sue said:
“I feel people will enjoy seeing Ricky and I together and telling stories. Ricky is very funny!
“Also they will learn things about us both that they didn’t know before, how we’ve lived our lives away from each other. We visit remarkable places that I’m sure people will love. It’s fun, and we hope it will make you smile.”
In the third and last episode of the show, Ricky and Sue go on a tour of North Wales, remembering their childhood vacations and taking in everything the region has to offer.
The two give viewers a quick tour of the best spots, stopping at everything from operating a steam engine on the Ffestiniog Railway to learning how to cook in Colwyn Bay and challenging world champion hurdler Colin Jackson to a race in Llandudno.
The commissioning of Ricky, Sue & a Trip or Two is the outcome of the linear unscripted development initiative More4 the West Midlands, a joint venture between Channel 4 and Create Central that launched in April 2022 with the goal of strengthening ties between the region’s independent media and Channel 4 Commissioning in order to expand opportunities for creative talent.
Executive producer Colin McKeown, from LA Productions, said:
“Ricky and Sue are true national treasures and have an undeniable chemistry – seeing them work together and how they bounce off one another is incredible.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing this new series to viewers and extremely proud that its first episode is right here in Liverpool, exploring the places that are most special to this iconic pair.”
Jazz Gowans, Creative Director at Nine Lives Media, said:
“It really is a ‘pinch yourselves‘ moment to be working with the phenomenal Ricky & Sue – and to make this out of the West Midlands as Nine Lives Birmingham partnering with LA Productions just adds to how special this is for us.
“Ricky and Sue truly shine on screen as they take us through a hilarious, moving and hugely entertaining grand tour of the places and the people that have a special place in the hearts of this genuine televisual, joyous royal couple.”
Ricky, Sue & a Trip or Two will air at 9pm on Tuesday 19 March on More4.
READ MORE: RICKY TOMLINSON RETURNS TO THE STAGE THE TOUR OF IRISH ANNIE’S
