That Debbie McGee question (1995)
Caroline Aherne’s character Mrs Dorothy Merton, a blue-rinsed, cardigan-wearing pensioner, was first developed in the late 1980s. By 1994, Mrs Merton had her own spoof chat show on BBC Two, where real-life celebrities were posed outrageous, mock-innocent questions that a conventional interviewer would not dare ask. One of the most iconic moments came when Mrs Merton asked magician Paul Daniels’ wife, Debbie McGee:
“So what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?”
This question remains a classic and is still frequently quoted. Other notable questions from the BAFTA-winning series included asking footballer George Best:
“Do you ever think, if you hadn’t done all that running around playing football, you wouldn’t have been so thirsty?”
and boxer Chris Eubank:
“Were you surprised when Steve Collins came from behind and licked you in the ring?”
Scorchio! (1994-1997)
The recent heatwave revived interest in one of Aherne’s most quotable characters from the quick-fire sketch show The Fast Show: meteorologist Poula Fisch. Poula worked for a low-budget Mediterranean broadcaster called Chanel 9 and delivered weather forecasts in nonsensical faux-foreign gibberish such as “Boutros Boutros Ghali, sminky pinky, Chris Waddle.” Her forecasts always predicted temperatures of 45°C across the region.
Each time, Poula would exclaim “Scorchio!” with apparent surprise, except on one occasion when a single cloud appeared on the coast, which she immediately declared a national disaster.
The Queen of Sheba (2006)
Aherne’s most cherished creation was the BBC sitcom The Royle Family, co-written with Craig Cash. The series reached a poignant peak with the BAFTA-winning special The Queen of Sheba, widely regarded as one of the most emotional sitcom episodes ever produced. This special helped Aherne cope with her own grief following the loss of her grandmother.
In the episode, Nana (played by Liz Smith), who was bed-bound, had moved into the Royles’ sitting room. As her health deteriorated, each family member cared for her in their own way, whether by reading Mills & Boon romances aloud or gently brushing her hair. The episode culminated with Denise (Aherne) giving birth to a daughter, whom she named Norma after her great-grandmother. Soon after, Nana passed away while the family kept vigil by her bedside.
The family honoured Nana’s wish to “put the fun into funeral,” complete with “volly-vents” on the “buffy.” In a final act of respect, son-in-law Jim (Ricky Tomlinson) solemnly placed her ashes on top of the television, recalling her last words: “Trevor McDonald.”
Second to nun (1991)
Aherne’s convent school education inspired the creation of a sexually voracious nun character, first performed on the Manchester comedy circuit. The character, introduced with church organ music and dressed in a full nun’s habit while carrying a Bible, delivered deadpan critiques of religion. Her ambition was to “kiss the pope’s ring,” and she famously asked:
“How many Protestants does it take to change a lightbulb? None. They live in eternal darkness.”
She also referenced the Bible with the line:
“People ask me, ‘Where does the Bible stand on homosexuality?’ Well, three times in the Bible, Jesus said: ‘Get thee behind me Satan.’”
Mrs Merton skewers Bernard Manning (1998)
A defining moment in comedy history occurred when Bernard Manning appeared on The Mrs Merton Show. His offensive humour was challenged throughout the interview, and he ultimately admitted to being racist, which was met with boos from the studio audience.
Aherne outmaneuvered Manning, calling him “the devil’s work” and asking fellow guest Richard Wilson to “hit him with something.” She joked about visiting Manning’s venue, The Embassy Club, saying:
“It was the night it burnt down.”
She also asked him:
“Who do you vote for now that Hitler’s dead?”
Checkout girl (1994-1997)
Another underrated character created by Aherne was a supermarket checkout worker who spoke with brutal honesty about every product she scanned, regardless of how personal the item was. Some of her remarks included:
“Brown bread, very posh. Keeps you regular, though, don’t it? … Ribbed condoms. Very thoughtful … Anti-dandruff shampoo. Nowt wrong with a scabby scalp … K-Y Jelly. Bit of vaginal dryness?”
Stealing the show at the Brits (1997)
During the Brit Awards in the Britpop era, Mrs Merton stole the spotlight from the rock stars. After poking fun at host Ben Elton, Mrs Merton made a memorable announcement:
“Charlie, wherever you are, can you make yourself known? They’re all asking for you backstage.”
Aherne returned to the awards three years later as herself and commented on winner Robbie Williams, saying he was “a little bit common … I’d have a little go on him but not forever.”
Denise’s Christmas dinner (2008)
Denise Royle, a character known for simple meals such as crisps, Dairylea on toast, or spaghetti hoops, ambitiously attempted to cook Christmas dinner for the extended family in the festive special The New Sofa. Inspired by Nigella Lawson, she optimistically offered four guests a turkey leg until her father Jim remarked:
“Bloody hell, love, are we having an octopus?”
Unfortunately, the turkey was still deep-frozen despite being placed in a bubble bath, kicked around the lounge, wrapped in a Manchester City shirt in the airing cupboard, and attacked with various power tools. Denise offered to hack pieces off and toast them but ultimately served Cup a Soup “with a twist – it’s in a bowl!”, followed by her signature “carrot crush” and a traditional Wall’s Viennetta dessert.
The voice of Gogglebox (2013-2016)
The Royle Family was a major influence on the reality show Gogglebox, where families watch and react to television programs. Aherne was the first choice to narrate the show, and her warm, affectionate voice contributed to its unexpected success. As the nation’s unseen sofa companion, she conveyed a deep love for television.
Aherne narrated Gogglebox from its launch in 2013 until April 2016, when illness forced her to step down. Her friend and Royle Family co-creator Craig Cash temporarily took over and continues in the role a decade later. Cash described the show as:
“a gift that Caroline left me,”
adding that he often senses Aherne’s “presence” when recording voiceovers.
What did I say, Roy? (1994-1997)
Aherne played Renée alongside Craig Cash as Roy in a series of sharply observed Fast Show sketches. Renée was a talkative, smug northern woman who would engage strangers in conversation and then turn to Roy, asking:
“What did I say, Roy?”
expecting him to agree meekly. Each exchange ended with Roy embarrassing her and being corrected with:
“That’s not what I said, Roy!”
In the 2020 documentary Just a Load of Blooming Catchphrases, made after Aherne’s death, a poignant scene showed Roy sitting alone at home, silent for 20 seconds. His occasional glances at an empty sofa cushion conveyed the absence of Renée and the loss felt by those who knew her.
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