Sue Johnston visits

Sue Johnston talks to RMT news about her life and narrating RMT’s new DVD KNOWN to millions as the lovable put- upon mum Barbara in The Royle Family, Sue Johnston has become a national treasure since she made her name as Sheila Grant in Brookside. However, ‘she-queen’, as she was known by Brookside husband Bobby, is far too modest to admit it. In fact, Sue remains refreshingly down-to-earth, proudly displaying her working-class roots. Sue jumped at the chance to narrate RMT’s new promotional DVD, which highlights the work of the union and what it can do for members. “I think it’s a great project which can promote what trade unions are really all about,” says. For Sue that means giving working people a sense that someone is looking out for them and their interests. “Now more then ever, people need to know that if something happens to them, there is an organisation that is on your side and there to help,” she says. This is a deeply held belief for Sue and she has been a trade unionist all her working life. “When I was growing up my parents taught me the importance of working class representation and those that fought for the vote and that has never left me,” she says. Sue recently appeared on TV exploring her heritage on Who Do You Think You Are? She was always aware that generations of her forebears were railway workers. She discovered her great-great- grandfather James Cowan once lived in an infamous labyrinth of lanes in Carlisle. “It really was a fascinating insight into the appalling living conditions of Carlisle’s slums 150 years ago. “And it made me realise why I am a socialist today,” she says. Sue has come a long way since growing up in post-war Warrington. Her early career was with the Pilkington glass factory, where she got a job in the pensions department specifically so she could join their amateur dramatics group. She then went on to attend drama school in London. Her versatility today is clear, with credits including such varied programmes as acclaimed drama Goodbye Cruel World; the 50s feel-good nostalgia series Sex, Chips and Rock ‘n’ Roll; cult comedy The Royle Family and, most recently, the psychological thriller Waking the Dead. She became a household name and was recognised as “Sheila Grant” wherever she went. “I still get called Sheila in the street sometimes, like that was really me,” she laughs. When Sue is not working she loves going to see her beloved Liverpool football club and is a season ticket holder. This fact was not lost on fellow scouser shipping secretary Steve Todd who proudly showed Sue his framed picture of legendary Liverpool manger Bill Shankley when she visited head office. Sue also had a chance to catch up with general secretary Bob Crow, who declared himself an avid fan of her work, particularly her portrayal of The Royle Family matriarch. Are there any downsides to fame for ‘she-queen’? “I never have any problems, people are always very friendly and I lead a normal life,” she says. However, one thing did bother her. Playing the part of Barbara Royle required Sue to smoke. She had to inhale low tar cigarettes, although she’s now fervently anti-smoking. Now that’s suffering for your art. Royle celebrity drops in on RMT REDS: Steve Todd meets fellow Liverpool fan Sue FAN: Royle Family fan Bob meets Sue AT WORK: Sue rehearses her script 19