Caroline Aherne was an outstanding actress who left an unforgettable mark on the history of British cinema and in the hearts of viewers worldwide. Aherne was undoubtedly one of the rare talents of her time, a true genius of comedy. She became an iconic figure in British cinema thanks to her unparalleled wit, charm, and exceptional ability to capture the essence of everyday life in her performances. Do you know which shows, series, and films featured Aherne, and which role made her truly famous? Find out more on manchesterka.com.
Life Path of Caroline Aherne
It is worth noting that Aherne was born in London. She was born in Ealing in 1963, but her family moved to Wythenshawe near Manchester when she was just two years old.
As a child, she suffered from retinoblastoma, leaving her partially sighted. From an early age, Aherne found solace in humour, using laughter as a coping mechanism for life’s challenges. Little did she know that this survival tool would lead to an incredible career in comedy.
Aherne attended FCJ Convent School in Hollis and later studied at Loreto College before pursuing drama at Liverpool Polytechnic. This marked the beginning of her connection to acting.
Caroline Aherne’s Acting Career
Aherne’s unique sense of humour quickly brought her to television screens. One of her early roles was in a western called The Mitzi Goldberg Experience. She played Mitzi Goldberg as well as the Irish nun Sister Mary Immaculate. Although her early roles were not groundbreaking, they gained her popularity, especially in Manchester’s comedy circles.
By the late 1980s, Aherne’s acting career began to flourish. Her extraordinary charm, charisma, and humour appealed to audiences and producers alike. She was frequently invited to various shows and performances, even contributing to album recordings. In 1988, Aherne was invited by Frank Sidebottom to collaborate on an album recording. For a time, Aherne had her own show on Piccadilly Radio. She also collaborated with DJ Martin Kelner during the late 1980s and early 1990s, helping him develop his comedy character—a satirical agony aunt.
Aherne also had significant experience as a radio host. In the early 1990s, she dedicated several years to working for Stockport’s KFM Radio.
Breakthrough on Television
In 1990, Aherne had her first television role as Mrs Merton on the discussion show Upfront. Her talent was highly praised by audiences, critics, and producers alike. She managed to raise the show’s ratings to unprecedented levels. Consequently, the Mrs Merton interview character became a staple of Saturday morning television.
During the 1990s, Aherne’s career as an actress flourished on television. In 1993, she appeared in the film The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer and in the series The Dead Good Show.
Between the 1990s and early 2000s, Aherne reprised her role as Mrs Merton in various productions, including:
- The talk show The Mrs Merton Show;
- The sitcom Mrs Merton and Malcolm;
- Other projects.
Work on The Royle Family
Aherne achieved widespread popularity as an actress through her work on the sitcom The Royle Family.
The Royle Family was a groundbreaking sitcom that offered a humorous yet poignant portrayal of the everyday life of a working-class family. Aherne not only played the delightful Denise Royle but also co-wrote the show’s scripts.
Her exceptional ability to imbue the series with genuine emotion and convey the warmth of her character made Denise Royle an iconic figure on British television during the 1990s and 2000s. This role propelled Aherne to unparalleled heights in her career, cementing her status as a comedy legend not only in Manchester but throughout the UK.
The series enjoyed tremendous commercial success. Critics praised it, and audiences worldwide tuned in. The Royle Family consisted of three seasons with 20 episodes, along with five special episodes aired during Christmas. The show concluded in 2000 after a Christmas special. Following this, Aherne announced that she would no longer act and would focus solely on writing scripts.
Throughout the 2000s, Aherne worked on several notable projects, including:
- The sitcom Early Doors;
- The comedy-drama The Fattest Man in Britain;
- The sitcom The Security Men;
- Other works.
Laughing Through Pain
Despite her success on-screen as a comedic actress, Aherne’s life was filled with pain. From a young age, she faced significant challenges due to various illnesses. In her childhood, she battled a rare form of eye cancer and later suffered from bladder cancer and lung cancer. She also struggled with depression and alcoholism. In 1998, following the death of her boyfriend, she attempted suicide. However, despite life’s hardships, Aherne managed to retain her remarkable sense of humour. She often used her personal experiences as material for her performances.
In 2016, at the age of 53, the talented actress and comedian passed away from lung cancer in her home in Timperley, Manchester.