Tributes and memories have been shared following the death of northern comedian Caroline Aherne famed for her Mrs Merton character and The Royle Family sitcom.
Aherne died at her home in Timperley, Manchester, on Saturday (July 2), aged 52, following a battle with cancer.
Her first TV appearances were as the acerbic comic character Mrs Merton in a semi-regular spot on the late night Granada TV talk show Upfront in 1990.
Granada Reports anchorwoman Lucy Meacock from Chester , who co-hosted the programme with the late Tony Wilson, wrote on social media that she had ‘loved’ working with Caroline.
She tweeted: “I was so lucky to work on Granada Upfront #happydays It was even funnier behind the scenes. Goodbye my friend #RIPCarolineAherne.”
Lucy also commented on Facebook : “Thank you for making us laugh so much over the years.”
Rod Cox, former co-owner of Alexander's in Rufus Court, Chester, says Caroline performed there many times and he and business partner Pauline Thompson got to know her 'quite well'.
His recollection is that she used Alexander's as testing ground for Mrs Merton as Steve Coogan trialled some of his characters at the music and comedy venue.
"It's really sad. It's the end of an era but also reminds me of the song Only the Good Die Young," commented Rod, who added: "She must also have been the only comedian ever to buy the proprietor a drink!"
Rod explained that Caroline was part of the Manchester comedy scene along with the likes of Coogan and Henry Normal and they inspired each other to create a phenomenon greater than the sum of its parts.
On seeing Mrs Merton at Alexander's for the first time, he recalled: "People expect belly laughs and Mrs Merton was very deadpan and I wasn't sure it would take off in a big way and I couldn't have been more wrong."
John Locke, co-owner of The Commercial Hotel in Chester, is well connected on the UK comedy circuit having previously worked as marketing manager for Manchester’s Comedy Store alongside the likes of Alan Carr, Russell Brand , Johnny Vegas, Jason Manford , John Thomson and the late Frank Sidebottom.
He wrote on Facebook: “So sad to hear about Caroline Aherne passing away.
“I saw her perform live as a stand up many times and had the pleasure to spend a little time with her, most memorably at the North West Comedy awards when She won the Les Dawson award for services to comedy.
"She explained to me She didn’t really like awards events but had to collect the ‘Les’, as she was such a massive fan and especially as it was given to her in Manchester.
“She was beautiful, funny, fragile and sweet whenever I met her.
“She asked me jokingly, if I would always go to events with her as she told me I really looked after her and she also really enjoyed the evening. I was immensely flattered to have had the chance to look after her on that night.
"I also got to thank her for all her work and particularly the episode of the Royle Family in which Nana passed away.
“To me it will always be one of the most poignant and beautifully written pieces of drama depicting the loss of a loved one. I said it reminded me very much of losing my Grandmother and it had brought me to tears.
“She thanked me, squeezed my hand and gave me a kiss on the cheek. She was a giant of British comedy and acting, a superb observational comedian and writer and a very complex and beautiful human being.
“I am so very sad to hear about her leaving us too early. My thoughts and love are with her family and friends.”
Chester born comedian Jeff Green tweeted: “Caroline Aherne, funniest, down to earth, cleverest, most complicated comedian I’ve ever known. Greatest fun too. Taken too soon, RIP. X”
