Sue Johnston has given Liverpool the freedom as Paul McCartney and Klopp lead tributes to ‘national treasure’

Sir Paul McCartney and Jurgen Klopp led the tributes as the Freedom of the City of Liverpool was awarded to one of the city’s best-loved stars of stage and screen.

Liverpool Town Hall was standing room only as the city’s great and good paid tribute to Sue Johnston. Best known for playing Sheila Grant in Brookside and Barbara Royle in The Royle Family, Sue, 80, said the honor “took her breath away”.

Awarded the city’s highest honor, she joins Brookside creator Phil Redmond and her on-screen partner of decades, Ricky Tomlinson, on the honor roll.

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Sue enjoyed a long and successful career on some of the county’s best-loved television shows, including The Royle Family, Brookside and Coronation Street. Born in Warrington, the 78-year-old grew up in Prescot before working for legendary Beatles producer Brian Epstein.

She made her television debut in Corrie playing a minor role as Mrs Chadwick, before first starring opposite Ricky Tomlinson in Brookside as Sheila Grant. The self-confessed Liverpool fan is best known for her role as Barbara Royle in the acclaimed The Royle Family, again opposite Tomlinson.

Sue was made an OBE in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honors for her services to drama and charity.

Flanked by family and friends, the veteran actor was joined by dignitaries from the world of football and on screen to celebrate the honour. Liverpool FC legends including Kenny Dalglish, John Barnes and Phil Thompson joined actor David Threlfall – known for his starring role in Channel 4’s Shameless – comedian Joe Wilkinson and Brookie’s Billy Corkhill, John McArdle.

Paying tribute to her in a special ceremony in the council chamber, Mayor Richard Kemp said Liverpool had taken Sue “into our hearts in a big way”, applauding her “outstanding contribution to the television and film industry”. . Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, said Sue was “not just a legend here” but a “national treasure” who was recognized as “a genuine reflection of the contribution you have made to the life of this city”.

In a special video message, Sir Paul – himself a recipient of the freedom of the city 40 years ago – jokingly referring to the apocryphal belief that being awarded the honor allows you to drive sheep through the city centre, said: ” If you need a few sheep to borrow, I’m your man.” He ended up paying tribute to Sue with an “okay la!”

In a separate message, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who was presented with the city’s top honor on the same night as Sue in July 2022 by Liverpool Council, said he was “very proud” to be associated with her , adding: “I know you. it’s really worth it.” The former Reds boss said: “Remember, you’ll never walk alone.”

To thunderous applause, Sue said the love and support she had received “took my breath away” and thanked everyone for taking part, including her nephew Rory, 12, as the camera sang Happy Birthday to her . She said: “This honor is so profound, we who live in this city love it.”

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