December 26th 2023.
Craig Cash was brought to tears whilst remembering the moment Caroline Aherne called him to say goodbye, after being told she had just two months to live. The Royle Family creator and actress died aged 52 of lung cancer in 2016, and her extraordinary life and career were celebrated in the BBC’s documentary Caroline Aherne: Queen of Comedy, which aired on Christmas Day.
Aherne and Cash wrote the hit BBC sitcom together and starred as husband and wife Denise and Dave Best after forming a close friendship and comedy partnership. Cash recalled the moment Aherne called to say she was dying, “I was just in denial,” he said. “I just kept saying “no”, just kept repeating “no”. There’s a lot to be said for denial. And she was like, “but we had some laughs though didn’t we, Cashy.”
The scene of Cash, overwhelmed by emotion, brought viewers watching to tears. Viewers took to Twitter to express their sadness and admiration for Aherne, with Mark Against Humanity tweeting “Craig Cash breaking down talking about Caroline Aherne is heartbreaking. What a massive loss to the world of comedy her passing was.”
The documentary celebrated Aherne as a true comedy giant, showcasing her early life before becoming a star of The Fast Show, her infinitely funny performance as Mrs Merton in the Mrs Merton Show and of course The Royle Family, one of the most unique and timeless British comedies of all time.
Many of Aherne’s close friends and family contributed to the documentary, including reunited The Royle Family cast members Ralf Little, Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston as well as Steve Coogan and Cold Feet star John Thompson. It was a beautiful tribute to Aherne, with her friends and family remembering the laughs they had with her.
Caroline Aherne: Queen of Comedy is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, allowing viewers to honour the legacy of a true comedy legend.
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