Ricky Tomlinson

Ricky Tomlinson (born September 26 1939) is a British actor, born in Blackpool but a long-time resident of Liverpool.

Related Topics:
September 26 - 1939 - Actor - Blackpool - Liverpool

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Before turning to acting, he worked as a labourer for many years, becoming involved in trade union politics and activism. In 1972 he was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of intimidation and affray, as one of the so-called "Shrewsbury Two", and in 1975 disrupted the TUC conference by shouting from the wings after he had been prevented from speaking from the stage. It was revealed in 2002 that he had been monitored in the 1970s by the Secret Service. At one time he was a National Front supporter, but is now a well-known supporter of left-wing politics.

Related Topics:
Trade union - 1972 - Prison - 1975 - TUC - 2002 - National Front

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As an actor he has found considerable success in recent years, appearing in the popular soap opera Brookside, starring as Jim Royle in the sitcom The Royle Family, and in a series of commercials for British Gas. He also played Robbie Coltrane's second boss in Cracker, his character replacing Christopher Eccleston's. He has also starred in several films, notably '. He has recently released an autobiography, entitled Ricky.

Related Topics:
Soap opera - Brookside - The Royle Family - Commercial - British Gas - Robbie Coltrane - Christopher Eccleston - Autobiography

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