Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston have reunited for a new television project.

Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson are reunting for a new project

Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson are reunting for a new project

The TV legends are best known for playing Jim and Barbara Royle in the classic BBC comedy series 'The Royle Family' but the pair will be joining forces once again and have "jumped at the chance" to make a travelogue for More4.

A source told The Sun newspaper's TVBiz column: "Ricky and Sue are incredibly close friends and when they were approached about reuniting they both jumped at the chance. They will be travelling the length and breadth of the UK to share some of their favourite places with their fans."

The insider went on to add that Ricky, 83, and Sue, 79, - who also played married couple Bobby and Sheila Grant in now-defunct Channel 4 soap opera 'Brookside' before the late Caroline Aherne cast them to play her parents in 'The Royle Family' - have already started shooting the series and have been enjoying exploring a variety of places together.

The source added: “Ricky and Sue have already started filming some of the series and have been all over, having lots of fun in places like Portmeirion and Porthmadog in Wales and in Shrewsbury."

Just weeks ago, it was revealed that there will be a one-off special to mark the 25th anniversary of 'The Royle Family' - which chronicled the lives of a sofa-surfing family in Manchester as they spent their evenings watching television - airing on Gold next month.

The special will be an updated version of the 2010 documentary ‘The Royle Family: Down the Back of the Sofa’, giving viewers the chance to hear interviews with cast and crew.

Jason Dawson, the commissioning editor at Gold, said: "A quarter of a century! The Royle Family has without doubt left a permanent mark in television history and we’re delighted to have commissioned this documentary for the 25th anniversary.

"Working alongside Craig and the brilliant team at Phil McIntyre is such a pleasure, and we hope viewers will enjoy reliving this celebration of one of the nation’s most beloved shows.”