The Royle Family
- TV sitcom
- BBC One / BBC Two
- 1998 - 2012
- 25 episodes (3 series)
The Royles are a family of couch potatoes who watch television in their dirty living room whilst chatting, arguing, and drinking copious amounts of tea and alcohol. Stars Ricky Tomlinson, Sue Johnston, Caroline Aherne, Ralf Little, Craig Cash and more.
Streaming rank this week: 1,033
Episode menu
Barbara's Old Ring
Further details
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Royles' and Barbara's gone overboard with the presents. "If you can't spoil your family at Christmas, when can you?" she asks, having spent a whole two hours in Poundland.
A new neighbour moves onto the street with an impressive cleavage, but will she be welcome on the sofa?
In a flash of seasonal entrepreneurial spirit, Dave reveals the idea he intends to pitch to Dragons' Den. Will it take off and make them rich? Or is Jim's scratch card more likely to bring in the Christmas cheer?
Joe next door is looking for love, and places an advert in the Lonely Hearts column, 'Vacant Lady Wanted'. Who could resist?
Notes
This episode was originally commissioned for Christmas 2011, but Aherne and Cash failed to complete the script in time.
This episode was dedicated to the memory of Geoff Hughes. "A lovely man."
This episode was a Jellylegs production in association with ITV Studios.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Tuesday 25th December 2012
- Time
- 9:45pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 60 minutes
Repeats
Show past repeats
| Date | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 19th December 2013 | 10:35pm | BBC1 |
| Wednesday 25th December 2013 | 10:00pm | Gold |
| Thursday 26th December 2013 | 1:30am | Gold |
| Thursday 2nd January 2014 | 9:00pm | Gold |
| Friday 3rd January 2014 | 12:10am | Gold |
| Friday 13th June 2014 | 10:20pm | Gold |
| Saturday 14th June 2014 | 1:25am | Gold |
| Thursday 21st August 2014 | 11:00pm | Gold |
| Friday 22nd August 2014 | 2:00am | Gold |
| Tuesday 23rd December 2014 | 9:00pm | BBC1 |
| Wednesday 1st April 2015 | 9:40pm | Gold |
| Thursday 2nd April 2015 | 1:45am | Gold |
| Monday 21st December 2015 | 9:20pm | Gold |
| Tuesday 22nd December 2015 | 1:15am | Gold |
| Monday 25th July 2016 | 9:10pm | Yesterday |
| Monday 25th July 2016 | 11:20pm | Yesterday |
| Thursday 22nd December 2016 | 10:00pm | Gold |
| Friday 23rd December 2016 | 1:10am | Gold |
| Monday 20th February 2017 | 10:00pm | Gold |
| Tuesday 21st February 2017 | 1:05am | Gold |
| Tuesday 19th December 2017 | 9:00pm | Gold |
| Tuesday 26th December 2017 | 11:00pm | Gold |
| Wednesday 27th December 2017 | 3:00am | Gold |
| Monday 26th February 2018 | 9:20pm | Gold |
| Sunday 13th May 2018 | 9:40pm | Gold |
| Wednesday 11th December 2019 | 10:20pm | Gold |
| Thursday 12th December 2019 | 1:55am | Gold |
| Monday 23rd December 2019 | 10:20pm | Gold |
| Sunday 23rd February 2020 | 9:00pm | Gold |
| Sunday 15th March 2020 | 9:55pm | Gold |
| Sunday 10th May 2020 | 9:00pm | Gold |
| Monday 11th May 2020 | 12:20am | Gold |
| Wednesday 17th June 2020 | 9:40pm | Gold |
| Thursday 10th December 2020 | 10:20pm | Gold |
| Wednesday 23rd December 2020 | 9:30pm | Gold |
| Thursday 24th December 2020 | 2:20am | Gold |
| Wednesday 8th December 2021 | 9:40pm | Gold |
| Thursday 9th December 2021 | 1:30am | Gold |
| Friday 17th December 2021 | 10:20pm | Gold |
| Saturday 18th December 2021 | 2:20am | Gold |
| Tuesday 21st December 2021 | 10:35pm | BBC1 |
| Tuesday 15th November 2022 | 11:20pm | Gold |
| Wednesday 16th November 2022 | 2:55am | Gold |
| Monday 28th November 2022 | 10:40pm | Gold |
| Tuesday 29th November 2022 | 2:25am | Gold |
| Friday 9th December 2022 | 9:40pm | Gold |
| Saturday 10th December 2022 | 1:40am | Gold |
| Monday 19th December 2022 | 9:50pm | Gold |
| Tuesday 20th December 2022 | 1:50am | Gold |
| Friday 15th December 2023 | 11:15pm | Gold |
| Sunday 24th December 2023 | 10:20pm | Gold |
Cast & crew
| Ricky Tomlinson | Jim Royle |
| Sue Johnston | Barbara Royle |
| Caroline Aherne | Denise Royle / Best |
| Craig Cash | Dave Best |
| Peter Martin | Joe Carroll (Cheryl's Dad) |
| Lorraine Bruce | Carol |
| Mary Healey | Philomena |
| Denice Hope | Brenda |
| Menyee Lai | Ling Su |
| Marie Mitchell | Betty |
| Steve Money | Petula |
| Iris Sharples (as Iris Sharple) | Elsie |
| Sheila Vaughan | Doreen |
| Caroline Aherne | Writer |
| Craig Cash | Writer |
| Phil Mealey | Writer |
| Caroline Aherne | Director |
| Lucy Ansbro | Producer |
| Caroline Aherne | Executive Producer |
| Craig Cash | Executive Producer |
| Phil Mealey | Executive Producer |
| Kristian Smith | Executive Producer |
| Ian Wilson | Editor |
| Margaret Coombes | Production Designer |
Video
The Royle Family - Christmas 2012 Trailer
The family talk about good inventions, and Dave makes an interesting suggestion.
Featuring: Caroline Aherne (Denise Royle / Best), Craig Cash (Dave Best), Sue Johnston (Barbara Royle) & Ricky Tomlinson (Jim Royle).