Ralf Little
Encyclopedia
Ralf Alistair J. B. Little (born 8 February 1980) is an English
actor
, writer
and semi-professional footballer, working mainly in television comedy. He is best known for playing Antony Royle in The Royle Family
and Jonny Keogh in the first six series of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
.
, Greater Manchester
. He attended Bolton School
(Boys' Division). Some of his early television roles included minor roles in various programmes such as Elidor, Children's Ward
, Sloggers, Bostock's Cup, Always and Everyone
, and a production of Aladdin.
sitcom
, The Royle Family
. He took three months out of his 'A' Level studies to record the series, after which he returned to school and got the grades he needed to get into his chosen course at university. Shortly after starting his medical studies degree at university, the first series of The Royle Family began to air and offers to audition started coming Little's way, as many as five per week. This prompted him to abandon his studies and focus on his acting career. The original run of the series was from Autumn 1998 to December 2000, and after a one-off special in 2006 returned for a series of Christmas specials from 2008, with Little returning to the role of Antony in 2006 and from 2009.
(or Two Pints), as Jonny Keogh. The first series ran from February 2001, and has been running for nine series so far. During an interview for This Morning
in September 2007 Little said that he would not be returning for the next series due to an overwhelming schedule, and his character was therefore killed off screen in the first episode of the seventh series although mentioned throughout the rest of the series.
.
In 2000 Little played Wishee Washee in the ITV Panto
Aladdin
.
In 2004, Little played the title character in Billy Liar
at the Theatre Royal in Windsor
.
Little appeared in Juliet McKoen's ghost story/murder mystery film Frozen (2005) set in Fleetwood
, Lancashire
.
His other film credits include 24 Hour Party People
(playing Joy Division
and New Order
bass player Peter Hook
) and Al's Lads
. Little also starred as Stephen, alongside Anne-Marie Duff, in Oscar-nominee Roger Goldby's film The Waiting Room, released throughout the UK in June 2008.
In television, he also appeared in Paradise Heights
alongside Neil Morrisey and Charles Dale
.
In October 2007, he appeared in the one man show, Stacy, written by Jack Thorne
at the Trafalgar Studios
in London and on TV in Robin Hood as a sinister scientist Joseph, in the episode "The Angel of Death".
In August 2007 he released his first online novel (co-written with Stephen Morris), The Golden Generation, a coming of age tale about a recently single man who is taken under the wings of two city traders who show him the trappings of big money in the big city but that it comes at a price. Money taken from the sale of the novel went to the charity Shelter
.
Little was a member of the cast of KateModern
, a web series
which is a spin-off of the more well-known lonelygirl15
. The series started in July 2007 and posted its final video in June 2008.
In early 2008 Little appeared in adverts for McVitie's
digestive biscuits, did the voiceover for SMA baby formula adverts, as well as in 2009 the Asda
Rollback adverts. He also provided the narration for series two, three and four of Monkey Life.
In September 2008 he starred in Massive
, a BBC comedy about an indie record label, and in the same year narrated the second series of Last Man Standing
.
In July 2008 he appeared in 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, a new play at the Bush Theatre
which was revised as 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover at Christmas later in the year.
In 2009 he had role of Clint in the ITV comedy drama series Married Single Other
along side Miranda Raison. He also worked on the film Powder.
In the autumn of 2010, he starred in "The Aliens", a British premier of a new play by Annie Baker
, again at the Bush Theatre alongside Mackenzie Crook
and Olly Alexander
.
In 2011, he appears as Richard in the new comedy series The Cafe
shown on Sky 1, which he co-wrote with Michelle Terry
and was directed by Craig Cash
.
, is a keen footballer and has played for a number of semi-professional clubs when other commitments allow. In March 2003 he played for Maidstone United
against AFC Wimbledon
, having previously been training with Staines Town
. He joined Isthmian League side Edgware Town
in October 2004, making his debut in the FA Vase
game against Waltham Abbey
.
He played for Chertsey Town
during the 2007-08 season and on 8 July 2008 signed for North West Counties League side Stone Dominoes
. He has also on a few occasions played celebrity football matches for charity and played with members of Hollywood United
while in the district for acting career purposes. He also plays for the Arsenal Ex-Pro and Celebrity XI.
He also participated in the 2010 Soccer Aid game for England on the left wing.
On August the 28th he played in the John Kennedy tribute match for Manchester united against Celtic which resulted in a 5-2 win for Celtic.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and semi-professional footballer, working mainly in television comedy. He is best known for playing Antony Royle in The Royle Family
The Royle Family
The Royle Family is a popular, BAFTA award-winning television comedy drama produced by Granada Television for the BBC, which ran for three series between 1998 and 2000, and specials from 2006 onwards...
and Jonny Keogh in the first six series of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps was a BBC sitcom created and written by Susan Nickson. It is set in the town of Runcorn in Cheshire, England, and initially revolves around the lives of five twenty-somethings, played by Ralf Little , Sheridan Smith , Will Mellor , Natalie Casey and...
.
Early life and work
Little was born in OldhamOldham
Oldham is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amid the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers Irk and Medlock, south-southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of the city of Manchester...
, Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
. He attended Bolton School
Bolton School
Bolton School is an independent day school in Bolton, in the North-West of England. It comprises a co-educational Nursery and Infant School and single sex Junior and Senior Schools . With almost 2,400 pupils it is one of the largest independent day schools in the country.-History:Bolton School...
(Boys' Division). Some of his early television roles included minor roles in various programmes such as Elidor, Children's Ward
Children's Ward
Children's Ward is a British children's television drama series produced by Granada Television and broadcast on the ITV network as part of its Children's ITV strand on weekday afternoons...
, Sloggers, Bostock's Cup, Always and Everyone
Always and Everyone
Always and Everyone was a British television drama that ran from 1999 to 2002. It dramatised the hectic everyday lives of the doctors and nurses running the Accident and Emergency department of the large, busy city hospital, St. Victor's. The series has never been released commercially on VHS or...
, and a production of Aladdin.
The Royle Family
Ralf's big break came when he was offered to play Antony Royle in the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
, The Royle Family
The Royle Family
The Royle Family is a popular, BAFTA award-winning television comedy drama produced by Granada Television for the BBC, which ran for three series between 1998 and 2000, and specials from 2006 onwards...
. He took three months out of his 'A' Level studies to record the series, after which he returned to school and got the grades he needed to get into his chosen course at university. Shortly after starting his medical studies degree at university, the first series of The Royle Family began to air and offers to audition started coming Little's way, as many as five per week. This prompted him to abandon his studies and focus on his acting career. The original run of the series was from Autumn 1998 to December 2000, and after a one-off special in 2006 returned for a series of Christmas specials from 2008, with Little returning to the role of Antony in 2006 and from 2009.
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
After the original run of The Royle Family, he was cast in another sitcom, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of CrispsTwo Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps was a BBC sitcom created and written by Susan Nickson. It is set in the town of Runcorn in Cheshire, England, and initially revolves around the lives of five twenty-somethings, played by Ralf Little , Sheridan Smith , Will Mellor , Natalie Casey and...
(or Two Pints), as Jonny Keogh. The first series ran from February 2001, and has been running for nine series so far. During an interview for This Morning
This Morning (TV series)
This Morning is a British daytime television programme broadcast on ITV. As of September 2011, its main presenters are Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, and Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, with various other presenters standing in for illness or contributing to sections of the programme.The...
in September 2007 Little said that he would not be returning for the next series due to an overwhelming schedule, and his character was therefore killed off screen in the first episode of the seventh series although mentioned throughout the rest of the series.
Other work
Little was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance in Notes on Falling Leaves at the Royal Court TheatreRoyal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
.
In 2000 Little played Wishee Washee in the ITV Panto
ITV Panto
The ITV Panto was a series of pantomimes originally broadcast on ITV in 1998, 2000, and 2002. All written by Simon Nye, they included an array of celebrities playing the lead roles. There were only four shows recorded; Dick Whittington in 2002 having been the final in the series.The recordings are...
Aladdin
Aladdin
Aladdin is a Middle Eastern folk tale. It is one of the tales in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights , and one of the most famous, although it was actually added to the collection by Antoine Galland ....
.
In 2004, Little played the title character in Billy Liar
Billy Liar
Billy Liar is a 1959 novel by Keith Waterhouse, which was later adapted into a play, a film, a musical and a TV series. The work has inspired and featured in a number of popular songs....
at the Theatre Royal in Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
.
Little appeared in Juliet McKoen's ghost story/murder mystery film Frozen (2005) set in Fleetwood
Fleetwood
Fleetwood is a town within the Wyre district of Lancashire, England, lying at the northwest corner of the Fylde. It had a population of 26,840 people at the 2001 Census. It forms part of the Greater Blackpool conurbation. The town was the first planned community of the Victorian era...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
.
His other film credits include 24 Hour Party People
24 Hour Party People
24 Hour Party People is a 2002 British film about Manchester's popular music community from 1976 to 1992, and specifically about Factory Records. It was written by Frank Cottrell Boyce and directed by Michael Winterbottom...
(playing Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
and New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
bass player Peter Hook
Peter Hook
Peter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
) and Al's Lads
Al's Lads
Al's Lads is a 2002 British crime/drama film.-Plot:Three Englishmen working as waiters on a cruise ship in 1927 are given a chance to work for the Al Capone gang.-Cast:*Marc Warren as Jimmy...
. Little also starred as Stephen, alongside Anne-Marie Duff, in Oscar-nominee Roger Goldby's film The Waiting Room, released throughout the UK in June 2008.
In television, he also appeared in Paradise Heights
Paradise Heights
Paradise Heights may refer to:*Paradise Heights, Florida, a town in the United States*Paradise Heights, a BBC TV series, subsequently known as The Eustace Bros....
alongside Neil Morrisey and Charles Dale
Charles Dale
Charles Dale is a Welsh actor who is well known for playing Dennis Stringer in Coronation Street, Gary "Chef" Alcock in The Lakes and Clive Eustace in The Eustace Bros.....
.
In October 2007, he appeared in the one man show, Stacy, written by Jack Thorne
Jack Thorne (writer)
Jack Thorne is an English screenwriter and playwright. Born in Bristol, England, he has written for radio, theatre and film, most notably on the TV shows Skins, Cast-offs, This Is England '86, The Fades and the feature film The Scouting Book For Boys...
at the Trafalgar Studios
Trafalgar Studios
Trafalgar Studios, formerly The Whitehall Theatre until 2004, is a West End theatre in Whitehall, near Trafalgar Square, in the City of Westminster, London....
in London and on TV in Robin Hood as a sinister scientist Joseph, in the episode "The Angel of Death".
In August 2007 he released his first online novel (co-written with Stephen Morris), The Golden Generation, a coming of age tale about a recently single man who is taken under the wings of two city traders who show him the trappings of big money in the big city but that it comes at a price. Money taken from the sale of the novel went to the charity Shelter
Shelter (charity)
Shelter is a registered charity in England and Scotland that campaigns to end homelessness and bad housing. It gives advice, information and advocacy to people in need, and tackles the root causes of bad housing by lobbying government and local authorities for new laws and policies to improve the...
.
Little was a member of the cast of KateModern
KateModern
KateModern was the sister series of lonelygirl15. The series, which was announced on July 16, 2007, began filming on July 9 and the first video, Fight and Flight, was released on July 16. The show is produced by EQAL in partnership with Bebo...
, a web series
Web series
A web series is a series of episodes released on the Internet or also by mobile or cellular phone, and part of the newly emerging medium called web television. A single instance of a web series program is called an episode .While the popularity of web series is continuing to rise, the concept...
which is a spin-off of the more well-known lonelygirl15
Lonelygirl15
lonelygirl15 was an interactive web-based video series which began in June 2006 and ran through to August 1, 2008. Developed under the working title The Children of Anchor Cove, the show gained worldwide media attention when it was outed as fictional in September 2006.-Overview:lonelygirl15...
. The series started in July 2007 and posted its final video in June 2008.
In early 2008 Little appeared in adverts for McVitie's
McVitie's
McVitie's is a snack food brand owned by United Biscuits. The name derives from the original Scottish biscuit maker, McVitie & Price, Ltd., established in 1830 on Rose Street in Edinburgh, Scotland. The firm moved to various sites in the city before completing the St...
digestive biscuits, did the voiceover for SMA baby formula adverts, as well as in 2009 the Asda
Asda
Asda Stores Ltd is a British supermarket chain which retails food, clothing, general merchandise, toys and financial services. It also has a mobile telephone network, , Asda Mobile...
Rollback adverts. He also provided the narration for series two, three and four of Monkey Life.
In September 2008 he starred in Massive
Massive (TV series)
Massive is a sitcom broadcast on digital channel BBC Three. It is set in Manchester and stars Ralf Little and Carl Rice as Danny and Shay, who leave their office jobs to set up a record label when Danny inherits £10,000 following the death of his grandmother.The series began airing on BBC Three on...
, a BBC comedy about an indie record label, and in the same year narrated the second series of Last Man Standing
Last Man Standing (UK TV series)
Last Man Standing and latterly Last Woman Standing is a BBC reality TV show that was first aired on 26 June 2007...
.
In July 2008 he appeared in 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, a new play at the Bush Theatre
Bush Theatre
The Bush Theatre is based in Shepherd's Bush, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. It was established in 1972 above The Bush public house by Brian McDermott, and has since become one of the most celebrated new writing theatres in the world. An intimate venue renowned for its close-up...
which was revised as 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover at Christmas later in the year.
In 2009 he had role of Clint in the ITV comedy drama series Married Single Other
Married Single Other
Married Single Other is a British television drama created and written by Peter Souter. The series is based on the lives of group of people who are either married, single or "other", other being defined as in a relationship. It began airing on Monday 22 February 2010 at on ITV1 and UTV...
along side Miranda Raison. He also worked on the film Powder.
In the autumn of 2010, he starred in "The Aliens", a British premier of a new play by Annie Baker
Annie Baker
-Career:Baker grew up in Amherst, Massachusetts, and graduated from the Department of Dramatic Writing at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She earned her MFA from Brooklyn College....
, again at the Bush Theatre alongside Mackenzie Crook
Mackenzie Crook
Paul Mackenzie Crook is a British actor and comedian. He is best known for playing Gareth Keenan in The Office and Ragetti in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.-Life and career:...
and Olly Alexander
Olly Alexander
Olly Alexander is an English actor and script writer. Alexander acting career began in theatre plays and films with such as Summerhill and Bright Star which was nominated for an Oscar, four individual wins and another eighteen nominations...
.
In 2011, he appears as Richard in the new comedy series The Cafe
The Cafe (TV series)
The Cafe is a British comedy-drama written by Ralf Little and Michelle Terry. It is one of the few new television comedy series that has been commissioned and aired on a digital only channel Sky1.-Premise:...
shown on Sky 1, which he co-wrote with Michelle Terry
Michelle Terry
Michelle Terry is an English actress and writer, known for her work on stage and for portraying Sara in the television pilot Reunited.-Background:Terry is from Weston-super-Mare...
and was directed by Craig Cash
Craig Cash
Craig Cash is an English comedy actor, BAFTA award-winning writer and also a director.-Biography:Cash is best known for playing slightly dull and dopey working-class northern men, particularly Dave Best in the hugely successful BBC sitcom The Royle Family, which he co-wrote with Caroline Aherne...
.
Football career
Little, a supporter of Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, is a keen footballer and has played for a number of semi-professional clubs when other commitments allow. In March 2003 he played for Maidstone United
Maidstone United F.C.
Maidstone United Football Club is an English football team from Maidstone, Kent.The current club is a continuation of the old Maidstone United, which was a member of the Football League between 1989 and 1992. The club was forced out of the league by financial ruin but the youth squad formed the...
against AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....
, having previously been training with Staines Town
Staines Town F.C.
Staines Town FC are an English football club based in Staines, Surrey. They are currently competing in the Conference South. The team are usually known as 'The Swans'...
. He joined Isthmian League side Edgware Town
Edgware Town F.C.
Edgware Town F.C. was an English football club based in Edgware, Greater London. Established in 1939, the club was dissolved at the end of the 2007–08 season-History:...
in October 2004, making his debut in the FA Vase
FA Vase
The Football Association Challenge Vase is an annual football competition for teams playing below Step 4 of the English National League System...
game against Waltham Abbey
Waltham Abbey F.C.
Waltham Abbey Football Club is an English football club based in Waltham Abbey, Essex. The team currently plays in Division One North of the Isthmian League.-History:...
.
He played for Chertsey Town
Chertsey Town F.C.
Chertsey Town Football Club is an football club based in Chertsey, Surrey, England. The club was established in 1890 and, from the Surrey Senior League, joined the Metropolitan League in the 1964–65 season. They have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Vase twice in their history...
during the 2007-08 season and on 8 July 2008 signed for North West Counties League side Stone Dominoes
Stone Dominoes F.C.
Stone Dominoes F.C. are a football club based in Stone, Staffordshire.-History:The club was established in 1987 and joined the Midland League Division Two in 1995. They reached the 5th round of the FA Vase in 2003–04 season. They are currently members of the North West Counties Football League...
. He has also on a few occasions played celebrity football matches for charity and played with members of Hollywood United
Hollywood United F.C.
Hollywood United is an American amateur soccer team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1988, the team plays in Region IV of the United States Adult Soccer Association, a network of amateur leagues at the fifth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.-Origins:Hollywood United...
while in the district for acting career purposes. He also plays for the Arsenal Ex-Pro and Celebrity XI.
He also participated in the 2010 Soccer Aid game for England on the left wing.
On August the 28th he played in the John Kennedy tribute match for Manchester united against Celtic which resulted in a 5-2 win for Celtic.