Ricky Tomlinson (born 26th September 1939 in Bispham, Lancashire) played Bobby Grant in Brookside from the first episode in November 1982 until May 1988.
He also played Jim Royle in BBC comedy The Royle Family (in which, like in Brookside, he and Sue Johnston played husband and wife), DCI Charlie Wise in Granada drama Cracker and the titular role in the comedy film Mike Bassett: Football Manager and its TV follow-up Mike Bassett: Manager.