The Royle Family’s Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston are set to REUNITE

The Royle Family fans are set for a surprise reunion as Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston are joining forces for the new series of Celebrity Gogglebox.

The pair are best known for their roles as the bickering couple Jim and Barbara in the BBC comedy, which acted as inspiration for the Channel 4 show.

Ricky and Sue are set to join a star-studded lineup for Celebrity Gogglebox’s newest series, which kicks off on Friday, June 16th.

The pair appeared in The Royle Family for three series and a slew of specials from 1998 until 2012, alongside former Gogglebox narrator Caroline Aherne, who played their daughter Denise,

It was also be a reunion with star Craig Cash, who took over as the narrator of Gogglebox following Caroline Aherne’s death in 2016.

Popular! The pair are best known for their roles as the bickering couple Jim and Barbara in the BBC comedy, which acted as inspiration for the Channel 4 show

Speaking about joining the show, Ricky said: ‘When it first aired Gogglebox was called ”the real Royle Family” so this is a full circle moment, Sue and I together again, in front of the box!’

The Royle Family focused on the titular Northern family, and depicted their hilarious exchanges, predominantly while lounging on the sofa in front of the TV. 

Other stars joining Celebrity Gogglebox for its fifth series include Davina McCall, who will appear alongside her boyfriend Michael Douglas.

Comedian Katherine Ryan and her husband Bobby are also joining the show, as well as BBC star Chris Packham with his step-daughter Megan.

A slew of familiar faces are also returning for the new series, including Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Denise Van Outen, Mo Gilligan, Shaun Ryder and Nick Grimshaw.

Katherine previously said she is ‘thrilled’ to be taking part in the hit show and gushed that she is very ‘excited’ for viewers to see inside her home. 

She told The Sun: ‘It’s usually just the dogs who get to see us watch TV, so we’re excited to welcome viewers into our home as we decompress in our favourite spot – the sofa.

‘We’ve been huge Gogglebox fans for years and we are thrilled to be taking part.’ 

Blast from the past: Ricky (pictured last month) starred in The Royle Family from 1998 until 2012 as Jim Royle

Classic: Sue, who originally appeared with Ricky in Brookside, played Jim’s wife Barbara

The Royle Family star Caroline died at the age of 52 in July 2016 following a two-year battle with lung cancer.

The show has proven to be one of Channel 4’s most unlikely hits, and still pulls in strong ratings after a decade of meme-worthy moments and breakout stars. 

The concept seemed a strange one, focusing on Brits’ reactions to the week’s biggest TV moments while sat in their living rooms, and it quickly became a huge hit.

Some of its cast members have gone on to achieve big things, like Scarlett Moffat who appeared on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. 

Celebrity Gogglebox returns on Friday, June 16th on Channel 4.