And that's all for today …
eastofhampstead asks:
Did working with Jim Royle give you a head-start when Monkey Life came along?
Guardian contributor You could say that - watching Jim Royle is like a study in anthropology. So yes, doing the voiceover for Monkey Life came pretty naturally after that.
Have to phrase this as a question or it’ll just look rude. How hard did you laugh when Jim said: “FINGER, MY ARSE!”?
Guardian contributor About as hard as I laughed at every other thing Jim said, whether I was supposed to or not. Me and Craig Cash giggled so much when we weren't supposed to, I'm amazed we even made it into the show.
Karl Straw asks:
Did you consider the Richard character in Dead Funny or were you always up for Nick? And did the impressions come naturally or take practice?
Guardian contributor No, I was always considered for Nick. Apparently his innate anger and sense of insecurity seemed to put me in the right casting bracket - not sure why. I'm no impressionist, but then again neither was the character Nick, so I had leeway. It was a lot of YouTube and a lot of practice, and then not too much worrying. Someone told me my Max Miller was a bit South African, but otherwise I got away with it.
Thomas Paterson asks:
When you play football, is your right foot still just for standing on?
Guardian contributor Always has been, always will be. Sometimes I'll have a swing, but it's usually a swing and a miss.
Goligarchy asks:
You once played 5-a-side football at Gol in Cardiff. Did you enjoy it?
Guardian contributor Good memory! That was a long time ago. I did, especially because I won.
TheCubanGentlemen asks:
Loved The Cafe – marvellous, bittersweet triumph of a show, with a superb ensemble cast. Moving on, is there a single role you’d give your eye teeth to play? Dr Who? Hugh Hefner? Widow Twanky?
Guardian contributor Well, I think Bond is relatively unlikely at this stage. I'd have to go for Widow Twanky out of those three. I've always been interested in villains that are antiheroes - they look like they're more interesting to play. People in situations where they do immoral things for the "right" reasons. Best example: Walter White in Breaking Bad. Now that looks like it was fun to make.
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Trump, Schwarzenegger or Lord Sugar: who's best on The Apprentice?
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campanologist asks:
Who would win in a fight between a baboon and a badger? (Sorry if you’ve answered this before.)
Guardian contributor
quaere asks:
Did you enjoy playing at Windsor and Eton FC? And are you still in contact with The Royle Family cast? It must be sad without Caroline Aherne.
Guardian contributor Yes I did, even though they gave a penalty against me on my debut, and it was never a penalty. Terrible refereeing. I've played for Chertsey, Edgware Town, and Windsor and Eton which was the highest level - though I probably had the most fun at Chertsey.
Ricky had me make him cups of tea during the tea break
Eleanor Mason asks:
Was it as fun filming Royle Family as it looked? Assuming you all became a little family of your own.
Guardian contributor Yes, yes it was! It got to the point where Ricky used to get me to make him his cups of tea during the tea breaks, and I had to remind him that I wasn't really Anthony (still made them though, mind you).
comedyfan22 asks:
If Two Pints was still being filmed, what do you think it would be like compare to what it was like in the earlier years?
Guardian contributor It's an interesting question. I think we'd all have kids of our own. Donna and Gaz would have been through two divorces; Janet and Johnny would be muddling along as always. And Louise would still be single and crackers.
1to618 asks:
Any chance we can see you on the BBC or C4? I dont really rate ITV and Sky for comedy.
Guardian contributor Really? The Cafe, Camping, Hunderby, Cold Feet, Stella? Keep an eye out for Borderline on Channel 5 - series two starts filming soon! They're out there if you look for them.
I never met anyone like Caroline Aherne – and I don't think I will again
ava asks:
What was it like to work with Caroline Aherne?
Guardian contributor A privilege every day. She had a paradoxical blend of personality traits. She could be cutting and generous at the same time. Mischievous and professional, shambolic and a perfectionist. I have never met anyone like her before and I don't think I will again.
Bernie_Sanders_1888 asks:
Compared to the late 1990s and early 00s – when The Royle Family aired – how would you judge the state of British comedy and/or British sitcoms today? Do you think there are a lack of quality programmes being commissioned, with an emphasis on cheap reality shows, etc?
Guardian contributor There's no quick answer to this. I suppose, for my tastes, the Royle Family followed by The Office was a golden age, but fashions evolve and tastes change. We've now seen a return to more traditional studio-based sitcom, which are as popular and critically praised as much as those earlier shows were. So I just think these things probably go in cycles. As for reality shows, not my taste, but people find funny what they find funny.
mylifeasanimposter asks:
If you could drink only one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be? You can’t say tea. Tea doesn’t exist in this universe. Also, you can’t add or subtract anything from your chosen beverage. This is serious business.
Guardian contributor
Flat Litter is a good anagram of my name – but I can't top Tall Filter
ID3334123 asks:
Do you have a favourite anagram of your name? Tall Filter is my current favourite closely followed by All Flitter.
Guardian contributor Up until this moment I'd never thought of it. Flat Litter is the best I can come up with - I don't think I'll ever top Tall Filter.
humpty1873 says:
I hated absolutely everything about Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. What do you think about that?
Guardian contributor
ID4317521 asks:
Do you resent that your career peaked so early with The Royle Family?
Guardian contributor Not at all. What an amazing start to a career - it's been going 18 years so far, so hopefully there's plenty of time left.
25aubrey asks:
I think your old pal Ricky Tomlinson has a laugh as manic as anyone who’s played the Joker in film or television. What do you think? And if he was recognised and got the part in a future film, would he take his Aldi carrier bag on set with him and share the bitters with the Riddler, Penguin and Catwoman?
Guardian contributor I think that's an absolutely fair observation, and if he did get cast, he'd take his carrier bag bitters with him.
Lurkio! Red sauce or brown sauce?
Guardian contributor Brown, any day of the week. Get that disgusting red stuff away from me.
Two pints of lager and a packet of Walkers Prawn Cocktail
Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps –what crisps would you choose?
Guardian contributor Updated
unclearleo asks:
I think I saw you once from behind walking down the road. I was sure you were going to turn right at the next corner, but you carried on. Is this something they teach you in acting class?
Guardian contributor
sparkius72 asks:
Will we be seeing you again soon? Sheridan’s done well, but I’d enjoy a bit more of our Ralph.
Guardian contributor Come to the National Theatre! Ugly Lies the Bone. Press night tomorrow. Legal disclaimer: other theatres are available.
John Simm is very volatile …
Andyb1967 asks:
Do you now refuse to have anything to do with John Simm? Playing the Hooky part to its full extreme …
Guardian contributor Haha! Good question. No, we've not had a falling out. But you never know with John, because he's very volatile (he's not).
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urbanpen asks:
Is there any chance you could give an working-class writer a break? I only ask because the BBC treat me like a fucking extra out of Kes.
Guardian contributor Sure, send it along to my production company, info@littlerockpictures.com, and I'll try and have a look.
johnny68 asks:
I have a friend called Philip Smalley who is at 5ft6in. With your name being little, I wondered how tall you are and does this sort of question annoy you a “little” bit.
Guardian contributor I'm 6 feet tall, so pretty comfortable height-wise. I always love a good pun, weak or otherwise.
thelasttree asks:
The Cafe was a brilliant, whimsical, romantic series! Do you think any more will be made?
Guardian contributor I'm afraid not - but thank you. Perhaps we should petition the government.
kbkc asks:
If The Royle Family had continued, how would your character have fared? Being upwardly mobile and male, would dramatic truth necessitate his near complete absence?
Guardian contributor That's actually a very interesting question and a fair point. Probably, yes. In fact, I appeared less and less in later episodes for that exact reason - difficult to justify his presence there, any more.
Mark O’Connor asks:
I remember you! You were in that thing with the bloke in the seat with the nose and then that thing with the girl with the boobs in the flat. Can you afford to live now?
Guardian contributor Yeah, now I'm in the thing with the guys at the National Theatre.
Drinking a brew as we speak!
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PimpmasterFlex asks:
Did you do Death in Paradise just for the free holiday?
Guardian contributor It's a very popular BBC1 show with great actors... but yeah, the fact that it's in the Caribbean definitely featured.
Andrew Newton asks:
The cafe was a triumph. Have you been writing anything else, or any chance of a special of the aforementioned – given the cliffhanger and the inevitable downbeat future for both protagonists?
Guardian contributor Thanks! I think that's probably the end of it, I'm afraid. I'd like to think they would have found each other eventually.
SirDogsy asks:
I saw you play in that Celebrity Football match thing and thought you were a great player. What stopped you pursuing the full-time professional route? Did acting get in the way? If so, any regrets?
Guardian contributor I don't know... there's always some story about could have, would have, etc, but I still get to do what I love doing so no complaints. Plus I got to play against Zidane anyway.
Arnoldd asks:
What would Anthony Royle be doing these days? Would Jim still be leeching of his success?
Guardian contributor I'd like to think he's doing pretty well in middle management, drives a mid-range Audi, and Jim borrows more money than he ever has before.
FerrisFromFlorida asks:
Do you leave things around? Or are you neat? Big fan of Royal family. Have a GIANT poster of you, signed by you, hanging in my house above my jukebox and a single pine cone.
Guardian contributor
Jonathan Chadwick asks:
Have you ever been to Sealand? Is it nicer than Milton Keynes?
Guardian contributor I'm ashamed to say I've never been, even though I have four international caps. One day I'll visit the homeland.
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Ralf is with us now
Ralf is joining us live from the National Theatre.
Post your questions for Ralf Little
Permanently tracksuit-clad and put upon to make tea, Ralf Little first came to attention in The Royle Family, the sofa-bound sitcom about a brood of slightly dysfunctional Mancunians. Alongside stage roles, he then appeared in six seasons of another hit sitcom, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.
Behind the scenes, he’s worked as a screenwriter, and co-founded the LittleRock production company, which recently brought the customs comedy Borderline to Channel 5 and Netflix. He’s also a semi-pro footballer, having played for Edgware Town, Chertsey Town and Sealand’s national team.
Following a run in Dead Funny, he’s on stage again in the National Theatre’s Ugly Lies the Bone, a recent hit in New York for playwright Lindsey Ferrentino. Ahead of the play opening on 1 March, Ralf joins us to answer your questions about anything in his career in a live webchat at 12.15pm GMT on Tuesday 28 February – post them in the comments below.
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Really sorry I've got to go, a real shame because I'm quite enjoying myself. Great questions and a lot of fun - thanks for taking the time.