Ricky Tomlinson

Five tales full of horror, comedy and most importantly, Creeping Death. You better pray for your soul.

The Royle Family’s dad and son Ricky Tomlinson and Ralf Little reunite years after they last got together, for a heart-warming and hilarious staycation, travelling the length and breadth of northern England, in a quest to unlock each of its region’s own unique secrets.

The third volume in a collection of the hottest gay shorts from around the world takes us from a teen’s dangerous affair with an older man, to a resurfaced love at a circuit party, an awkward first gay experience, a father and son’s tumultuous relationship, and the effects jealousy has on a relationship.

Ken Dodd: How Tickled We Were tells Sir Ken’s story from his boyhood growing up in the 1930’s in Knotty Ash, through his big break into show business and then on to his unrivalled career in entertainment. Poignant and uplifting, the programme features interviews with the people who knew Sir Ken best - friends and family in Liverpool and beyond, and his many colleagues, admirers and fellow-performers from the world of entertainment. The programme also features an interview with Sir Ken’s wife, Lady Anne Dodd.

Looking at the processes of manufacturing the products we use every day. Discover the processes, and meet the people who work on The Production Line.

From the mass produced to the hand crafted, Made in Britain is a behind the scenes look at how Britain's most iconic brands are made.

Based on Jo Brand's critically acclaimed novel of the same name, The More You Ignore Me is a warm, comedy drama focusing on the life of an unconventional family in 1980s rural England. The film focuses on Gina, a young mother, whose efforts to be a loving mother and wife are undermined by her declining mental health. Things deteriorate when she develops an obsession with the local weatherman, which leads to an admission to the nearby psychiatric hospital. Over the years, as she grows up, her daughter Alice struggles to relate to her heavily medicated mum, and causes chaos when she comes up with a plan to reconnect with her, which divides the family forever and leads to a moving climax. Set to the songs of The Smiths, The More You Ignore Me provides a sometimes stark, yet comical insight into life within this quirky household, whilst addressing mental health issues and their impact on the family.

5.8/10
8%

An intimate and revealing portrait of Kenny Dalglish - the player, the man, the truth.

7.3/10

Dan comes out to his family, but leaves telling his Dad until last. How will be react?

5.4/10

This series features some of Britain's best-loved comedians and funniest comedy actors gathering together for a jolly night in front of the telly, watching clips from classic sitcoms and sketch shows both old and new.

5.5/10

A talented fighter must save his beloved gym by training a gentle giant for a bare-knuckle fight.

5.3/10

A surprisingly candid behind-the-scenes account of the career of Ken Loach, one of Britain’s most celebrated and controversial filmmakers, as he prepares to release his final major film I, Daniel Blake.

7.2/10
10%

Wrongfully accused and on the run, a top MI6 assassin joins forces with his long-lost, football hooligan brother to save the world from a sinister plot.

6.2/10
3.8%

In a fantasy world where magic is being superceded by technology, an orphaned teen discovers her destiny to become a dragonslayer.

5.5/10

Set in 1974, an authentic and uplifting tale of two friends whose horizons are opened up by the discovery of black American soul music.

6.4/10
7.8%

Great Night Out is a British comedy-drama based in Stockport, North-West England that aired on ITV in early 2013. On 27 February 2013, it was announced that there will be a second series. It was later cancelled in April, as confirmed by Boardman via Twitter. Although the series scored decent ratings averaging over 3 million a week.

7.6/10

In 1973 Ricky Tomilinson was imprisoned for unlawful assembly and conspiracy when picketing for support in Britain’s first National Building Strike a year earlier. During the course of Ricky’s sentence when he refused to conform, wear prison clothing, work and suffered on hunger strike he met a sympathetic and wise prison governor who introduced prisoner Tomlinson to Tressell’s great novel.

Christmas is coming but Barbara is not happy. Not only has she lost her wedding ring but Jim has won on a scratch card she found down the back of the sofa whilst looking for the ring and has kept quiet about his hundred pounds winnings. Nor is he especially sympathetic about Dave's impotency problem, though the entire Royle family unite to help recently widowed Joe from next door enjoy a restaurant-style evening in their house with the equally scatty Philomena, whom he has met through a want ad. On Christmas Day Barbara lashes out at Jim for his laziness and juvenile antics - though his description of a busty barmaid cures Dave's problem. However she is in for a pleasant surprise when she discovers just how he spent his scratch card winnings.

6.5/10

Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash discuss the creation of The Royle Family, with a look behind the scenes at the production of the show and interviews with the cast.

Dave and Denise worry that Anthony's lavish presents will show them up.

Jim and Barbara have received the gift of money from their children - but what to do with it? Barbara wants to finally go abroad, while Jim favours buying an HD satellite box.

7.8/10

Martin Freeman is lovelorn teacher Mr Maddens, a former am-dram star whose girlfriend (Ashley Jensen) dumped him over Christmas five years ago and upped sticks, inexplicably, to La-La Land. Yuletide cheer is not his forte, but he's forced to drum some up when Pam Ferris's headmistress earmarks him to direct the Nativity play.

6.4/10
4.6%

A documentary on the films of Ken Loach. Interviews with cast and crew who worked with Loach over the years. It describe his approach to allowing actors a wide range of freedom.

6.6/10

Tension mounts in the Royle household as the family contemplates the prospect of becoming fully laminated throughout. Dr Mahmoud prescribes new medication for Nana in the form of yellow tablets; coincidentally they turn out to be the same colour as the tablets that Joe was prescribed for the swelling when he got his bits stuck in his zip. Meanwhile, a mysterious ginger visitor reminds Nana of her favourite musical.

Monkey Trousers was a short-lived comedy series on ITV in 2005, featuring Alistair McGowan, John Thomson, Ronni Ancona, Mackenzie Crook, Griff Rhys Jones, Neil Morrissey, Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer, Marc Wootton and Steve Coogan. It was directed by David Kerr and produced by Bob Mortimer and Vic Reeves' production company, Pett Productions. It succeeded The All Star Comedy Show, which was written by Reeves and Mortimer, and produced by Coogan. Sketches of the show included the moronic, yet fearless 'Croc Botherer', Roy the eerie, lonely toy-shopkeeper, Alistair the hopeless estate agent, who replies to every question with "I don't know", the swearing chef, and the 'Geordie Astronauts'. A DVD of the series was released on 4 July 2005.

7.2/10

Mike Bassett: Manager is a British TV comedy series, which began transmitting from 29 September 2005 on ITV. It is a follow-up to the film Mike Bassett: England Manager, and stars Ricky Tomlinson in the title role, Steve Edge as his assistant, and Amanda Redman as his long-suffering wife, Karine. Neil Maskell, known from the Football Factory film, appears as a clubzine reporter. The series picks up some time after Mike took England to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup. The side's attempt at qualifying for the 2004 European Championships ended in disaster, resulting in Mike being sacked. Since then, a spell at Newcastle ended in similar fashion after getting them relegated two seasons in a row, while his returns to former clubs Norwich and then Colchester fared little better. Mike decides to retire, but at the last minute is offered the manager's job at Wirral County F.C., for whom his father was a player. They seem doomed to be relegated to the Football Conference. Not helping his job is the fact that the chairman is senile, the chief executive is eagerly awaiting relegation so that he can sell their ground and Karine isn't pleased with the idea of retiring in Ellesmere Port rather than Spain.

7.1/10

An unwanted statue of the Virgin Mary affects an entire community after an apparent miracle in a chip shop.

5.7/10

A man has passed away but hasn't been buried yet. Thinking that God has a furtive way about death, the man believes he can get the last laugh.

4.9/10

Dek, a decent but somewhat dull man, enjoys a happy existence with beloved girlfriend Shirley. They live together with her 12-year-old, Marlene: her daughter by the delinquent Jimmy, who flew the coop years ago and hasn't been heard from since. Dek loves Shirley so much that he proposes to her on national television.

6.2/10
5.1%

Three Englishmen working as waiters on a cruise ship in 1927 are given a chance to work for the Al Capone gang.

5.5/10

Elmo McElroy is a streetwise American master chemist who heads to England to sell his special new formula - a powerful, blue concoction guaranteed to take you to 'the 51st state.' McElroy's new product delivers a feeling 51 times more powerful than any thrill, any pleasure, any high in history. But his plans for a quick, profitable score go comically awry when he gets stuck in Liverpool with an unlikely escort and his ex-girlfriend and becomes entangled in a bizarre web of double-dealing and double-crosses.

6.3/10
2.6%

Mike Bassett: England Manager is an hilarious British Comedy that stars Ricky Thomlinson. Featuring Cameos from Barry Venison, Gabby Yorath, Atomic Kitten and Pele.When the England manager has a heart attack, footballs' top brass turn to Mike Bassett (basically no one else wanted the job). England lose Mike's first two games in charge. His team struggles to a goal-less draw in the final qualifying match but, thanks to a fluke result elsewhere, England qualify for the finals in Brazil.In South America things go from bad to worse. Pressure is mounting for Mike. An embarrassing drunken performance caught by a new photographer seals his fate as the most unpopular Englishman ever.However, Mike makes an impassioned plea for the country to get behind him - fans, press, players.... even his wife. Can Mike turn the tide and bring football home ? ..

6.9/10

Mr. and Mrs. Peach's favourite neighbours emigrate to Australia, leaving the grieving couple anxiously twitching the net curtains of their suburban cul-de-sac home waiting to see who will be moving in next door. Unfortunately, far from their ideal, a flash, young couple, Mr. and Mrs. Chapman turn out to be their new neighbours.

5.9/10

Robbie the Reindeer (voiced by Ardal O'Hanlon) arrives at the North Pole, ready to take his place as navigator on Santa's Christmas sleigh team. However, Robbie is soon plagued by doubt regarding his ability, and sets out to regain his self-respect and the admiration of his team-mates. This festive animated tale also features the voices of Jane Horrocks, Steve Coogan, Caroline Quentin and Harry Enfield, and features a script co-written by 'Blackadder' writer Richard Curtis.

7.2/10

Geraldine and her two daughters, Livvie and Angeline, are living rough on the streets on London. When their van blows up, they must find an alternative place to stay. At first, they live in temporary housing, but the conditions are unbearable. Geraldine reacts quickly and the family decides to take up residence in Scottley's, the best department store in London. They must keep it a secret from doorman Brian (whom the girls call Mr. Whiskers), and a couple of bumbling thieves who want to rob the store safe of its jewels.

7.4/10

Jimmy McGovern's depiction of the mid 90s Liverpool dockers strike. Featuring script contributions from Irvine Welsh and the real dockers themselves

7.4/10

The on-the-field trials and tribulations and the off-the-field lives, loves and infidelities of 'The Castlefield Blues', an under funded, badly managed ladies football team from South Yorkshire in the north of England whose loyalty to the team, the game and each other far exceeds their chances of ever winning the championship.

7.2/10

British comedy series focusing on the lives of a working-class family in Manchester who love the TV.

8.1/10

The sexual rivalries over a new, potentially great rock'n'roll singer between a nightclub owner and a local gangster cause unrest and eventually lead to murder.

5.3/10

Henry Harding MP, a British government minister on a moral crusade, hires an inexperienced young computer whizzkid, Peter Emery who works for a Christian computer company called Holy Hardware, to infiltrate the United Kingdom BDSM scene.

6/10

The story of the British betting scandal of 1964, uncovered by journalist Mike Gabbatt which saw a number of British professional footballers were jailed and banned from football for life for conspiring to fix the results of matches. Prominent among those jailed and banned were the Sheffield Wednesday F.C. stars Peter Swan, Tony Kay and David Layne.

7.3/10

After he loses his job, his father, and his girlfriend, Jan's life is a shambles. Then suddenly he meets freakish street musician Vera, and a bittersweet romance unfolds...

7.2/10

Robert Askew goes to Blackpool to prepare an extraordinary end to his extra ordinary life. But this is no ordinary weekend and a succession of magical events conspire to turn a journey of despair into a voyage of discovery.

5.9/10

Drama based on the real life events of April 1989, when ninety-six Liverpool supporters were crushed to death during an F.A. Cup Semi-Final match against Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium. This movie follows three Liverpudlian families before the match, during the tragedy and at the ensuing court battles which tried to decide who was to blame and what went wrong.

8/10

Eunice is walking along the highways of northern England from one filling station to another. She is searching for Judith, the woman, she says to be in love with. It's bad luck for the women at the cash desk not to be Judith, because Eunice is eccentric, angry and extreme dangerous. One day she meets Miriam, hard of hearing and a little ingenuous, who feels sympathy for Eunice and takes her home. Miriam is very impressed by Eunice's fierceness and willfulness and follows her on the search for Judith. Shocked by Eunice's cruelty she tries to make her a better person, but she looses ground herself.

6.3/10
7.7%

Roughnecks is a BBC comedy-drama series that ran over two series between 1994 and 1995 on BBC One. The show centred on the working and personal lives of those who worked on the fictional oil rig "The Osprey Explorer" in the North Sea.

8.9/10

This Ken Loach film tells the story of a man devoted to his family and his religion. Proud, though poor, Bob wants his little girl to have a beautiful (and costly) brand-new dress for her First Communion. His stubbornness and determination get him into trouble as he turns to more and more questionable measures, in his desperation to raise the needed money. This tragic flaw leads him to risk all that he loves and values, his beloved family, indeed even his immortal soul and salvation, in blind pursuit of that goal.

7.4/10
10%

The wise-cracking Fitz is a brilliant but flawed criminal psychologist with a remarkable insight into the criminal mind.

8.4/10

The story of Stevie, a construction worker, and his girlfriend, an unemployed pop singer, serves to show the living conditions of the British poor class.

7/10
9%

Giuseppe Conlon and his son Gerry are convicted of an IRA bombing as part of the Maguire Seven in 1976. Giuseppe diligently writes his wife Sarah as she works to free her family members from prison.

7.9/10

Alan Bleasdale's five-part series relates the further experiences of unemployed Liverpudlian tarmac layers Dixie, Chrissie, Loggo and Yosser, and their revered older friend, retired longshoreman and union leader, George Malone. As they struggle to make ends meet in a depressed economy, and to hold together their financially battered families, they are harrassed by the petty bureaucrats of the DHSS. But the lumbering investigational juggernaut is, both comically and tragically, guided by drivers with only a provisional license.

8.6/10

Incendiary 1981 Play for Today, written by Jim Allen and directed by Roland Joffé that tells the story of a group of housing estate residents who attempt to organise against persistent rent rises.

Still Ragged (updated in 2016) is an 80 minute documentary about Robert Tressell's The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, published in 1914. The film charts the impact of the book on people's lives and its continual relevance today, as well as the fascinating origin of the manuscript. The film features Ricky Tomlinson, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Dennis Skinner MP, as well as playwrights, authors, singers and others describing how Tressell's work has influenced them personally and politically.

DS Penhaligon tracks a serial rapist who revels in his crimes, but during the course of her investigation she becomes a victim herself, which inevitably changes her relationship with criminal psychologist Fitz.

Festive special edition of the hit family sitcom. Inspired by Nigella Lawson, Denise decides to cook Christmas dinner for the family. Jim provides the yuletide log and, much to his dismay, Dave's mum and dad are invited to join the festivities.

8.1/10