Sue Johnston talks about working with Craig Cash again, supporting Liverpool, and the differences between working in comedy and drama.

How would you describe your time working on Rovers?

A huge amount of fun. I love working with Craig Cash, and the script itself and that it's about the world of football and everything that makes me laugh about that.

It's the first time you'll have been on screen with Craig since we last saw The Royle Family in 2012. Was that the main draw when you got involved with the series?

Well, yes, because if Craig sends you a script and he thinks it's great you'll read it. I trust him implicitly. Originally he wasn't going to play the lead part, he was just going to direct - so when he wanted to direct me and sent me the script, I read it and that was it for me.

I loved the writing, I loved doing the job. It was the biggest laugh I've had since doing The Royle Family. I loved the jokes, I loved the characters, I loved the writing, I loved working with this cross-section of actors and stand-ups; it was really a wonderful mix, you know.

Yes, it's an amazing ensemble gathered for the show...

Oh it's a wonderful ensemble, yeah. That's why there were no egos flying around, it was very relaxed. Craig is so laid-back - there was no stress.

Obviously Craig played your son-in-law in The Royle Family. Was it like a family reunion?

Well, he was directing me, and because I know Craig - I'm his friend so I'd never worked with him as director - it was a bit new and strange at first. But he's such a good director and I knew he was from other people who've worked with him.

You change your relationship, but he never changes, he's just Craig, so lovely. And he knows what he's talking about - he's not Dave, he's a very clever guy. It wasn't like I was working with Barbara and Dave anymore; it's Sue and Craig working. And when we act it's Doreen and Pete. Our two characters are so bizarre - all bonkers it seems to me.

A lot of viewers will know you best as The Royle Family's matriarch Barbara, and you play another quite maternal figure as Doreen. How would you describe her?

She's a bit more upmarket and has achieved more than Barbara, but she's got that same characteristic of being bewildered by life, I think. She's got a heart of gold, and while she's not very bright, she's very trusting. She loves them all, she does mother them. She just wants to please, she's a crowd pleaser. Her club is everything to her. I think she's in a bit of a world of her own. She's a lovely woman who just sees the best in everyone. And slightly dipsy.

You're also well known for drama roles in Brookside, Waking The Dead and Downton Abbey...

I've done more drama than I have comedy. It's only really The Royle Family and this that have been my ventures into comedy. Maybe other people have found my work laughable...

No, perish the thought! Do you find the comic roles a chance to let your hair down, or do they come with their own challenges?

To me, there's not much difference really. You still have to find the character and immerse yourself in it, and find a truth there. I was going to say you have more fun, but then on Waking The Dead we had a lot of fun because we had to have fun outside the script, because it was so dark.

The differences in the script mean that with comedies you laugh a lot at people doing ridiculous things, but really you're still taking on a character and you've got to be truthful and know your lines. And be believable. That's what you're always striving to be. Whether it's a drama or comedy. But I suppose doing Rovers was very relaxed. So with that came enjoyment.

Although I worry every time I start a scene about whether I'll get it right. I'm a terrible worrier about that.

Rovers is quite uplifting in terms of the community of characters, which is something it has in common with The Royle Family. Do you think this is the case?

Yes, that's what I felt about it. The subject matter is totally different but it's character driven, and it's the characters themselves you can't help liking, and caring about them in their silly daft ways. They've all got something that you care about. I think that's what it is.

It's also because it's able to laugh at itself as well - because we're all so mad about football, we're a football-crazed nation - but for the majority of people that means the Premier League. It does also laugh at that stuff, but this is the grassroots down here where most people are watching and playing in clubs that are desperate to buy new goalkeepers for £75.

And what I found wonderful were the actual lower league footballers who came in who seemed to enjoy the whole thing as well. I think because it's not a cruel jibe at lower-league football - it's not cruel in any sense, it laughs at itself. Yes it pokes fun at football, but in a way that we all rather love. But it's about the characters really. You could put the characters into a pub or in a different situation and you'd still find humour and love in it.

You're well known as a Liverpool fan. Would you be happy minding the bar during a game or is your place in the stands?

I still sit in the stands but I have upgraded myself in my old age - I'm in the lower echelons of the upper-class watching football now [laughs]. I like to get a bit of a drink and food before the game. But I've always been watching, I used to go in to the Kop with my dad, I used to sit in the Kop End for many years but I've switched to the mid-stand now. When you get to 72 you want a bit of comfort when you go to the game - it's hard work!

Were there any particular favourite moments filming the show?

Most of the stuff I loved was with Craig. He makes me laugh so much. His eating the fish fingers was lovely. But the whole thing was such fun; I loved working with all the characters, all of them. I couldn't separate anything out. I loved the sitting and talking.

I can honestly say with all truthfulness that I had the best time on this job. Every day going to work was a joy. It was just a happy ship and it makes such a difference if you're filming in that way. It brings the best out in everyone.

Doreen loves a meat raffle...

And she also loves her rattle!

She does! The raffle and the rattle. A lot of people aren't going to see the attraction in a plate of greying meat wrapped with cling film. Could you help explain it to us?

I don't know how you can say no one would welcome that meat! We had to replace it every couple of days so it never got to go grey. When it started going, the dear old props department would replace it with fresh meat. A lot of people would give an arm and a leg for a free couple of pounds of mince and a couple pounds of sausages. I don't know what you mean!

Clearly we've been spoiled.

You have! I should tell your mothers they're feeding you too well.