The Royle Family Episode Guide

Episode Guide

The Royle Family: Season 3 (2000)

• Season 3 Episode 6: Christening

  Dave grows a goatee beard and the Royles throw a party to celebrate baby David's christening. Comedy, starring Ricky Tomlinson and Caroline Aherne

• Season 3 Episode 5: Antony's Going To London

  Jim and Nana fight over who is going to use the toilet first and Antony displays his juggling skills with potatoes, while Dave shows everyone an amazing trick involving his middle finger. Comedy, starring Ralf Little and Ricky Tomlinson

• Season 3 Episode 4: Elsie's Funeral

  Nanna bores the family with memories of her recently deceased friend Elsie, while baby David's crying over the intercom proves a trifle unsettling for some of those sitting on the sofa

• Season 3 Episode 3: Decorating

  The family prepares for baby David's christening, with a reluctant Jim being coaxed out of his armchair to help Twiggy strip the dining room wallpaper - but using Barbara's fish slice to remove it instead of a steamer proves hard work. Award-winning comedy, starring Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash and Ricky Tomlinson

• Season 3 Episode 2: Babysitting Again

  Jim and Barbara are left holding the baby while Denise and Dave enjoy a booze-fuelled night of karaoke at The Feathers, and Mary tells all about Joe's close shave with a cheese-grater. Award-winning comedy, starring Caroline Aherne and Ricky Tomlinson

• Season 3 Episode 1: Hello Baby Dave

  Denise has an accident while out shopping and learns the true value of nipple pads, while Jim struggles with baby David's dirty nappy. Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash's acutely observed slice-of-life comedy, also starring Ricky Tomlinson, Sue Johnston and Ralf Little

The Royle Family: Season 2 (1999)

• Season 2 Episode 7: Christmas Special 1999

  The family settle down to watch TV after a hearty Christmas dinner - but Denise interrupts their usual banter by going into labour. Tear-jerking seasonal episode of the award-winning comedy, starring Ricky Tomlinson, Caroline Aherne and Sue Johnston

• Season 2 Episode 6: Antony's Birthday

  The family look forward to a joyous celebration in honour of Antony's 18th birthday, complete with a football-pitch cake. But as the house fills up with family and friends, the hi-fi breaks down - prompting some home-brewed entertainment

• Season 2 Episode 5: Barbara Finally Has Enough

  Idle slob Jim causes so much friction in the Royle household that Barbara decides she has had enough of his laziness and walks out, leaving him with just Denise and Dave for support in trying to answer the questions on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Comedy, starring Ricky Tomlinson and Caroline Aherne

• Season 2 Episode 4: Nana Comes to Stay

  Nana recovers from an operation to remove a cataract, while young Antony takes a ribbing about his new girlfriend. Comedy, starring Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash, Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson

• Season 2 Episode 3: Nana's Coming to Stay

  A quiet evening in front of the television is the cause of yet more tension in the Royle household, as Barbara and Jim argue over Changing Rooms, while Denise and Dave have their first antenatal session. Award-winning comedy, starring Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash and Ricky Tomlinson

• Season 2 Episode 2: Sunday Lunch

  Nana arrives for her Sunday visit, so Jim and the family attempt to drag themselves away from the TV long enough to eat a hearty lunch - but the lads are still at the pub and the roast spuds are as hard as bullets. Comedy, starring Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash, Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston

• Season 2 Episode 1: Pregnancy

  It is bubbly all round as newly-weds Dave and Denise have an important announcement for the family. Written by and starring Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash, with Ricky Tomlinson, Sue Johnston and Ralf Little

The Royle Family: Season 1 (1998)

• Season 1 Episode 6: The Wedding Day

  Over a meal of pork chops, chips and beans, Jim grumbles and gripes about being expected to foot the entire bill for Denise's impending wedding. Award-winning comedy, starring Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash and Ricky Tomlinson

• Season 1 Episode 5: Another Woman?

  The wedding is put at risk after Denise kicks up a stink and accuses Dave of a heinous crime - flirting with Beverley Macca. Acclaimed comedy, starring Caroline Aherne, Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson

• Season 1 Episode 4: Jim's Birthday

  Jim feels depressed by the rest of the family's insistence on ignoring his wishes and celebrating his birthday, so it's cut-price cakes, family photos and bubbly all round. Comedy, starring Caroline Aherne, Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson

• Season 1 Episode 3: Sunday Afternoon

  It is Sunday in the house of the couch-potato clan and Nana calls round, but nothing can stand in the way of the Antiques Roadshow. Award-winning comedy, starring Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash and Ricky Tomlinson

• Season 1 Episode 2: Making Ends Meet

  Jim struggles to come to terms with the prospect of footing the bill for Denise's forthcoming wedding. Offbeat comedy, starring Caroline Aherne, Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson

• Season 1 Episode 1: Bills, Bills, Bills

  With Dave and Denise's wedding fast approaching, the arrival of a huge phone bill is the last thing Jim needs. Award-winning comedy, starring Caroline Aherne, Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston

The Royle Family: Special (2000 - 2007)

• Christmas Special 2000

  With the family stuffed full of turkey and Nana supping snowballs like there's no tomorrow, it can mean only one thing : Christmas at the Royles', who are celebrating in typical fashion by congregating round the box to watch Rolf Harris. But this year they have special guests : none other than the parents of Antony's posh girlfriend Emma. Ricky Tomlinson, Sue Johnston, Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash star in the Christmas show from 2000, with guest appearances by Sharon Duce and John Henshaw

• The New Sofa

  The Royles return, two years after their last outing The Queen of Sheba. It is Christmas Eve, and the couch potatoes are celebrating as only they know how - gathered round the TV. Denise decides to cook the Christmas dinner after being inspired by Nigella Lawson, and invites Dave's parents, much to Jim's dismay. Sadly, son Antony is missing out on the fun, babysitting for the young Royles over in his own home - but then, as Denise remarks 'It's not a day for kids is it, Christmas?' However, Jim's fellow scouse pal Twiggy does barge in for a visit. Festive edition of the award-winning comedy, starring Ricky Tomlinson, Sue Johnston, Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash and Geoffrey Hughes

• The Royal Family: The Queen of Sheba

  One-off episode. Nearly seven years have passed since Baby David's christening, but Jim is still picking his nose and setting the world to rights from his armchair. Nana is now the centre of attention after moving in and Antony is a successful businessman. Denise is pregnant again and sporting fancy hair extensions, while Cheryl is still trying to lose weight and looking for love. Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash and Ricky Tomlinson star. Part of Liz Smith night