- published: 22 Apr 2008
- views: 65446
Eric Tomlinson (born 26 September 1939), known by his stage name Ricky Tomlinson, is an English actor, comedian and activist best known for his roles as Bobby Grant in Brookside, DCI Charlie Wise in Cracker and Jim Royle in The Royle Family.
Tomlinson was born Eric Tomlinson in Bispham, Blackpool, Lancashire, but has lived in Liverpool nearly all his life. Tomlinson was born in Bispham because his mother, Peggy, was evacuated there due to the Liverpool Blitz in World War II. On 22 March 1962 he married first wife Marlene; they had three children.
A gifted and qualified plasterer by trade, he worked on various building sites for many years becoming actively involved in politics (firstly with the far-right, then more predominantly with the far-left). In 1968 he joined the National Front in support of less immigration after Enoch Powell's Rivers of Blood speech. His views gradually changed over time and in 1972 he joined the flying pickets in a building workers' dispute in Shrewsbury. In 1973, Tomlinson was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of 'conspiracy to intimidate' as one of the so-called Shrewsbury Two. After his release in 1975, he 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 MI5 had monitored him during the 1970s.
Ricky Tomlinson interview - Parkinson - BBC
Ricky Tomlinson On His Political Past | This Morning
Ricky Tomlinson speaking at the BFAWU conference 2015
Ricky Tomlinson's message for Mrs Thatcher
ricky tomlinson live at the dormans club 2015
Ricky Tomlinson - Are You Looking At Me
Ricky Tomlinson says crap on Loose Women and Jane calls him Jim - 7th April 2009
Christmas My Arse by Ricky Tomlinson
Ricky Tomlinson Exclusive Interview - Arrested / Prison / Unions / Thatcher / Royle Family
Ricky Tomlinson/Sinbad/Noddy Holder-Are You Looking at Me (Live Parkinson)
Ricky Tomlinson Scouser Hated Cilla Black Liverpool
Ricky Tomlinson Interview - 35 Min Life Story - BBC Royle Family / Prison / Petition / Johnny Vegas
Ricky Tomlinson Talks About Voting And Politics | Loose Women
Ricky Tomlinson's Shrewsbury 24 Campaign Unison Conference 2013