Royle Family star collects OBE

Sue Johnston has received an OBE from the Queen - but said she suspected the monarch was not a fan of The Royle Family.

The 65-year-old Warrington born actress said: "I doubt she watches it - I bet William and Harry do though - but I don't think it would be quite her thing."

Sue added that both her parents, who are no longer alive, as "traditionalists" would have been more proud of the award than any of her many film, TV and theatre successes.

"When I got the letter I got quite emotional because I wanted to tell my parents and I couldn't. Of all the things I've done this would have been the best for them," she said.

The actress, who plays Jim Royle's long-suffering wife Barbara in the comedy, also spent eight years playing Sheila Grant in Brookside. Her other credits include Waking The Dead, drama The Street and a number of films.

Sue also received acclaim for her role as a sufferer of motor neurone disease in Goodbye Cruel World.

Sue was born in Warrington and started her working life in a factory.