It has been a decade since the tragic loss of TV genius Caroline Aherne, who died on 2 July 2016 at age 52 from lung cancer. Her brilliant but too brief career as an actor, comedian, writer and director left an indelible mark. Here are 10 highlights from her legacy.
That Debbie McGee Question (1995)
Aherne's blue-rinsed, cardigan-clad pensioner character Mrs Dorothy Merton first appeared in the late 80s and landed her own spoof BBC Two chatshow in 1994. Real-life celebrities faced outrageous mock-innocent questions. The peak came with her opening salvo to magician's wife Debbie McGee: "So what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?" An all-time classic still quoted today. Other memorable inquiries included asking alcoholic footballer George Best: "Do you ever think, if you hadn't done all that running around playing football, you wouldn't have been so thirsty?" and boxer Chris Eubank: "Were you surprised when Steve Collins came from behind and licked you in the ring?"
Scorchio! (1994-1997)
On quick-fire sketch show The Fast Show, Aherne's most quotable character was meteorologist Poula Fisch from low-budget Mediterranean broadcaster Chanel 9. After news in generic faux-foreign gibberish, Poula's weather forecast invariably predicted 45°C across the region, exclaiming "Scorchio!" with apparent surprise. Except once when a single cloud on the coast was declared a national disaster.
The Queen of Sheba (2006)
Aherne's most beloved creation is BBC gem The Royle Family, co-written with Craig Cash. Its high point came with bittersweet, Bafta-winning special The Queen of Sheba. Bed-bound Nana (Liz Smith) moved into the Royles' sitting room. As her health declined, each character cared for her uniquely—reading Mills & Boon romances aloud or tenderly brushing her hair. A devastating final act saw Denise (Aherne) give birth to a daughter named Norma after her great-grandma, who slipped away as the family kept vigil. Proceedings climaxed with the clan "putting the fun into funeral," complete with "volly-vents" on the "buffy." Son-in-law Jim (Ricky Tomlinson) placed her ashes on top of the telly—her final words had been "Trevor McDonald."
Second to Nun (1991)
Aherne's convent school education inspired Sister Mary Immaculate, first performed on the Manchester comedy circuit with an accent copied from her Irish parents. Introduced with church organ music, wearing a full nun's habit and carrying a Bible, the sexually voracious nun dispensed deadpan digs at religion. Her ambition was to "kiss the pope's ring," and she asked: "How many Protestants does it take to change a lightbulb? None. They live in eternal darkness."
Mrs Merton Skewers Bernard Manning (1998)
A defining moment in comic history came when Bernard Manning braved The Mrs Merton Show and found his offensive brand of humour challenged throughout. He ultimately admitted he was a racist, booed by the studio audience. Aherne called boorish Manning "the devil's work" and begged fellow guest Richard Wilson to "hit him with something." She said she laughed upon visiting his venue The Embassy Club ("It was the night it burnt down") and asked, "Who do you vote for now that Hitler's dead?"
Checkout Girl (1994-1997)
An underrated Fast Show creation was Aherne's no-filter supermarket till worker. She passed comment with brutal honesty on every product scanned: "Brown bread, very posh. Keeps you regular, though, don't it? … Ribbed condoms. Very thoughtful … Anti-dandruff shampoo. Nowt wrong with a scabby scalp … K-Y Jelly. Bit of vaginal dryness?"
Stealing the Show at the Brits (1997)
The Brit awards was must-see TV in the Britpop era, but all rock'n'roll stars were upstaged by a little old lady. After poking fun at host Ben Elton, Mrs Merton made an important announcement: "Charlie, wherever you are, can you make yourself known? They're all asking for you backstage." Aherne returned three years later as herself, saying of gong-winner Robbie Williams: "He's a little bit common … I'd have a little go on him but not forever."
Denise's Christmas Dinner (2008)
Denise Royle, a woman who eats crisps, Dairylea on toast or spaghetti for tea ("Bolognese?" "No, hoops"), attempted to cook Christmas dinner in festive special The New Sofa. Inspired by Nigella Lawson, she offered four guests a turkey leg until dad Jim asked: "Bloody hell, love, are we having an octopus?" The poultry centrepiece was still deep-frozen despite having been in a bubble bath, kicked around the lounge, wrapped in a Manchester City shirt in the airing cupboard, and attacked with power tools. She served Cup a Soup ("with a twist—it's in a bowl!"), followed by her signature "carrot crush" and Wall's Viennetta for dessert.
The Voice of Gogglebox (2013-2016)
The Royle Family inspired Gogglebox, where families react to TV. Aherne was first choice for narrator, and her warm, twinkly tones helped make it a surprise hit. She narrated from its 2013 inception until April 2016, when she became too unwell. Her friend Craig Cash filled in temporarily and still does the job a decade later. "Gogglebox is a gift that Caroline left me," says Cash, adding he often feels Aherne's "presence" when recording voiceovers.
What Did I Say, Roy? (1994-1997)
Aherne teamed with John Thomson to play northern couple Renée and Roy in The Fast Show skits. Smug Renée chattered endlessly to strangers, occasionally asking "What did I say, Roy?" expecting meek agreement. Each conversation ended with Roy embarrassing her and being chastised: "That's not what I said, Roy!" In the 2020 documentary Just a Load of Blooming Catchphrases, a poignant callback saw Roy sitting alone at home, heartbreakingly mute for 20 seconds, glancing at the empty sofa cushion—Renée was no longer there.
