Tony Audenshaw wants Ricky Tomlinson to bring Brookside character to Emmerdale

Tony Audenshaw wants Ricky Tomlinson to reprise his \'Brookside\' role in \'Emmerdale\'.

The soap star would love to see the 80-year-old actor - who played Bobby Grant on the Channel 4 show - bring his character to the village alongside his former on-screen wife Sheila (Sue Johnston).

Speaking to Inside Soap magazine, Tony - who has played Bob Hope on the ITV programme since 2000 - said: "I don\'t reckon he would do it, but I\'d love to see Ricky Tomlinson, who played Bobby Grant in \'Brookside\', in the show.

"Maybe Bobby and Sheila could get back together after she splits up with Billy Corkhill, then they could move to Emmerdale for their retirement.

"That would be absolutely brilliant!"

The Liverpudlian soap - which was created by Phil Redmond - helped launch the careers of \'The Royle Family\' co-stars Ricky and Sue, who also played husband and wife Jim and Barbara Royle in the classic sitcom.

While the 80-year-old actor went on to star in the likes of \'Cracker\' and \'Mike Bassett: England Manager\', Sue has enjoyed success in \'Waking The Dead\', \'Coronation Street\' and \'Downton Abbey\'.

\'Brookside\' is known for TV\'s first pre-watershed lesbian kiss, and the gruesome body-under-the-patio storyline.

Earlier this year, Jodie Comer called for a revival of the hit show after growing up a big fan.

She said: "My earliest memory of television is \'Brookside\'. I used to get in the shower, wash my hair and sit in front of the fire with my nan and watch \'Brookside\' - and eat spearmints.

"I wish I could watch \'Brookside\' now. They need to make a comeback."