Actor Ricky Tomlinson has given fans all the nostalgic feels by bringing back one of his iconic roles.
Ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest this May, the star reprised his character of Brookside’s Bobby Grant and can be seen putting up Ukrainian-themed bunting in Liverpool.
The Royle Family star, 83, has joined a host of famous faces from Liverpool in helping with ‘some very special BBC filming to demonstrate how this year’s contest is United by Music,’ the broadcaster said.
In new images released on Friday, Ricky – real name Eric Tomlinson – can be seen hanging Ukrainian flag decorations outside the character’s family home on Brookside Close, using a yellow and blue step ladder.
Reacting to the surprise reprisal, fans took to Twitter to hail Ricky a ‘legend.’
‘This is so perfectly pitched I can’t even…’, one person tweeted.
‘LOVE this’, another penned, while one emotional fan added: ‘Why am I crying?’
The soap, set in Liverpool, chronicled the lives of characters living in 13 houses on the cul-de-sac before it ended 20 years ago, coming to a close on November 4, 2003.
Conceived by Grange Hill and Hollyoaks creator Sir Philip Redmond, the first episode aired on Channel 4 on November 2, 1982.
It became a real favourite in many households and, at its peak, the show drew in audiences of nine million viewers.
Ricky, who starred in the soap between 1982 and 1988, joins Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood, Liverpool Women’s footballers Emma Koivisto and Sofie Lundgaard, and Ukrainian Everton player Vitalii Mykolenko as they get ready for Eurovision.
The famous faces are set to welcome the world to Liverpool when the contest kicks off on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with the first semi-final on May 9.
Representing the UK, Mae Muller even has the backing of royalty.
As King Charles appeared in Liverpool this week to unveil the spectacular stage at the M&S Bank Arena, he and Camilla met with the I Wrote A Song hitmaker.
Mae told the Royals: ‘It feels like a good energy this year, no nil points.’
‘As long as I can get up there and say it’s the best I’ve ever done it, I’ll be pleased,’ the 25-year-old added, following on from Sam Ryder’s second placing last year.
The King later offered comforting encouragement and told her: ‘We’ll be watching with great interest, egging you on.’
Well, no pressure at all then, Mae…
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