Royle Family actor Sue Johnston 'so proud' to be awarded Freedom of the City of Liverpool
Sue Johnston says it is "an honour" to be awarded Freedom of the City of Liverpool as she is congratulated by Sir Paul McCartney and Jurgen Klopp.
The actor is best known for her roles in Coronation Street, Brookside, and as Barbara Royle in the Royle Family.
She was born in Warrington and grew up in Liverpool.
Friends and family gathered with the actor for a ceremony at Liverpool Town Hall on Tuesday, 18 June evening.
She was joined by on-screen husband Ricky Tomlinson, who received the Freedom of Liverpool in October 2014.
Sue said she was "nervous, excited and a bit overwhelmed" at the accolade.
"What can you say about the city you grew up in and you love," she said.
"I have spent so much of my life here and so many important things have happened to me here and I just love it.
"I am a Liverpool supporter and have been all my life, so I just feel so proud that it is hard to put into words really"
Among those paying tribute to her in video messages played on the evening was Sir Paul, who was celebrating his 82nd birthday that day.
The Beatle, who received the Freedom of Liverpool in 1984, said: “It allowed me to take a flock of sheep through the city centre, so if you need a couple of sheep to borrow just to take them through the streets, I’m your man.
“Congratulations, darling, you’re a lovely girl.”
Sue described what is so special about Liverpool.
"The people mainly," she said, "the architecture, the river, just everything that you grow up with that makes it Liverpool, going on the ferry to New Brighton.
"I feel like I'm back where I belong."
"I just want to say thank you to Liverpool, I love it and I feel so honoured," she added.
Johnston, who grew up in Prescot, Merseyside, put her head in her hands as former Liverpool manager Klopp appeared on screen with a message of congratulations.
She and Klopp, who received the freedom of Liverpool at a ceremony in 2022, were both nominated for the honour two years ago.
Johnston said: “When they announced it on the same day as Jurgen that was breathtaking to me, that I was in the same sentence as Jurgen Klopp.
“It was very emotional for me.
"I cried because I wanted to tell my dad, who loved Liverpool so much.
"I was so sad I couldn’t tell him, and I know how proud he would have been.
“I love Scousers. The wit, the heart, they’re cheeky. Just everything. They mean just so much to me.
"And to be granted the freedom of Liverpool means so much more than anything that I’ve been awarded really.
“It’s humbling and to be in such great company. Especially with Jurgen.”
Also joining her for the ceremony were Liverpool FC legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, film producer Colin McKeown, comedians Jonny Vegas and Joe Wilkinson, Shameless star David Threlfall, Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall and metro mayors Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham.
It is the latest accolade for Sue Johnston who received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth in 2009 for her services to drama and to to charity.