Main content

Sue Johnston

Sue Lawley's castaway is actress Sue Johnston.

Sue Johnston has rarely been out of work since she made her name in Brookside. Her versatility is clear, with credits including such varied programmes as acclaimed drama Goodbye Cruel World; the 1950s feel-good nostalgia series Sex, Chips and Rock 'n' Roll; cult comedy The Royle Family and, most recently, psychological thriller Waking the Dead. Her early career was with the Pilkington Glass Factory, where she got a job in the pensions department specifically so she could join their amateur dramatics group. After rebelling against her parents wishes and attending drama school in London, Sue acted in repertory theatre until her mid-30s.

Having a son brought new responsibilities and, realising the bonus of a regular income and regular hours, she auditioned for Channel 4's Brookside. She became a household name and recognised as Sheila Grant wherever she went. She left after eight years and never looked back: her first role was as a motor neurone sufferer in Goodbye Cruel World, for which she was Bafta nominated and she has been in demand ever since. She was also Bafta nominated for her role as lovable put-upon mum Barbara in The Royle Family, which in 1998 and 2000 won British Comedy Awards.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: You'll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers
Book: Dickens by Peter Ackroyd
Luxury: 麻豆社 Radio 5 Live

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 31 May 2002 09:00
麻豆社 Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Suggs

Next

Leonard Rosoman

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • Bob Dylan

    Lay, Lady, Lay

    Composer: Bob Dylan

    • The Essential Bob Dylan.
    • Columbia.

  • Eddie Cochran

    Summertime Blues

    Composer: Capehart/Cochran

    • The Best Rock & Roll Album in the World.
    • Virgin.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Pacemakers

      You'll Never Walk Alone

      • The Very Best of Gerry & the Pacemakers.
      • Music For Pleasure France.

  • The Beatles

    Twist and Shout

    • The Beatles Anthology.
    • Apple.

  • Richard Wagner

    Tannh盲user (Overture)

    Orchestra: Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France. Conductor: Marek Janowski.

    Orchestra: Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra

  • Paul Simon

    You Can Call Me Al

    Composer: Paul Simon

    • The Paul Simon Anthology.
    • Warner Bros.

  • The Pogues

    Fairytale Of New York (feat. Kirsty MacColl)

    • If I Should Fall From Grace.
    • Pogue Mahone.

  • Love Walked In

  • Book Choice

    • Dickens - Peter Ackroyd

  • Luxury Choice

    • 麻豆社 Radio 5 Live

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Sue Johnston

Broadcasts

  • Sun 26 May 2002 11:15
    麻豆社 Radio 4
  • Fri 31 May 2002 09:00
    麻豆社 Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast