Ralf Alastair John Little (born 8 February 1980) is an English actor, writer, presenter, narrator and former semi-professional footballer. He has worked mainly in television comedy, including playing Antony Royle in The Royle Family (1998–2000, 2006, 2009–2010) and Jonny Keogh in the first six series of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (2001–2006). He was the narrator of Channel 5's documentary series Our Yorkshire Farm (2018–2022) and its spin-off, Beyond The Yorkshire Farm: Reuben and Clive. From 2020 to 2024, he starred as Detective Inspector Neville Parker in Death in Paradise.
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| Born | Ralf Alastair John Little 8 February 1980 Bury, Greater Manchester, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Years active | 1994–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family | Albert Lockley (great-grandfather) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life and education
editRalf Alastair John Little[1] was born in February 1980[2] in Bury and attended Bolton School (Boys' Division). His younger brother, Ross Little, is also an actor and played Michael Gilder in Born and Bred. Their parents are accountants.[3][4]
In 1998, Little abandoned his studies at the University of Manchester medical school in order to concentrate on his acting career.[5]
Career
editSome of his early television roles included minor roles in various programmes such as Elidor, Children's Ward and Sloggers.[5] Little's big break came when he was offered the role of Antony Royle in the BBC sitcom The Royle Family. Little appeared in the show's original run from September 1998 to December 2000, before returning in three of the show's five Christmas specials, broadcast in 2006, 2009 and 2010.[6][7]
In 2001, he was cast in a main role as Jonny Keogh for six series of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.[5] 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 subsequently killed off.[8]
In 1999, Little played the Star of Bethlehem in the ITV comedy drama The Flint Street Nativity and appeared in a minor role in Granada TVs Coronation Street in January 1999 as care home assistant Mark Stranks.[9]
In December 2000, Little played Wishee Washee in the ITV Panto Aladdin, which was filmed in the New Wimbledon Theatre.[10]
In 2001, he played the young George Harrison in Presence at the Royal Court Theatre, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance.[11] In 2004, he played the title character in Billy Liar at the Theatre Royal in Windsor.[12] He appeared in Juliet McKoen's 2005 ghost story/murder mystery film Frozen, set in Fleetwood, Lancashire. Between November 2002 and January 2003, he hosted 17 one-hour-long episodes of The Ralf Little Show on BBC Choice.[13]
Other film credits include 24 Hour Party People (playing Joy Division and New Order bass player Peter Hook[5]) and Al's Lads. Little also starred as Stephen, alongside Anne-Marie Duff, in Roger Goldby's film, The Waiting Room, released throughout the UK in June 2008. In television, he also appeared in Paradise Heights.[5][14]
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.[15] He was a cast member of KateModern, a web series developed by the creators of the US YouTube hit lonelygirl15, which started in July 2007 and posted its final video in June 2008.[16]
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. In September of the same year, he starred in Massive, a BBC comedy about an indie record label. Also in 2008, Little became the narrator of Monkey Life, and the second series of Last Man Standing. In 2009, he played Clint in Married Single Other, alongside Miranda Raison[17] He also worked on the film Powder.[18] In the autumn of 2010, he starred in The Aliens, a British premiere of a new play by Annie Baker, again at the Bush Theatre.[19] In 2011, he appeared as Richard Dickens in the comedy series The Café, shown on Sky 1, which he co-wrote with Michelle Terry.[20]
In 2013, he made a guest appearance in Death in Paradise (series two, episode six), and appeared at the Liverpool Playhouse as the father of a girl with cerebral palsy, in a production of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg.[21][22]
In 2014, he appeared in the TV series Our Zoo.[23] He also voiced Captain Skip in The Unbeatables, the English version of Argentine animated film Foosball.[24]
He appeared as the character Steadfast in "Smile", the second episode of the 10th series of the BBC1 series Doctor Who in 2017.[25][26]
In August 2018, Little starred as "Alan" in God of Carnage at the Theatre Royal, Bath.[27]
In October 2019, he was confirmed as the new lead in Death in Paradise,[28] returning to the series as a new character, DI Neville Parker, six years after his one-episode guest appearance.[29]
In May 2020, Little, alongside his Royle Family co-star Ricky Tomlinson, presented a six-part travel series titled Ricky & Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip for Gold.[30]
He confirmed a partnership with St. Lucia Distillers and their Chairman's Reserve rum brand, becoming an ambassador for 2023-24.[31]
Football career
edit
Little, a supporter of Manchester United,[12] 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 Wimbledon, having previously been training with Staines Town.[32] He joined Isthmian League side Edgware Town in October 2004, making his debut in the FA Vase game against Waltham Abbey.[33]
He played for Chertsey Town during the 2007–08 season and on 8 July 2008 signed for North West Counties League side Stone Dominoes.[34] He has also played celebrity football matches for charity on a few occasions[35][36] 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.[37] On 6 June 2010, he participated in a Soccer Aid game for England on the left wing.
On 9 August 2011, he played in the John Kennedy testimonial match for Manchester United against Celtic which resulted in a 5–2 win for Celtic.[38]
In May 2012, he appeared for the Sealand national football team in a match against the Chagos Islands as captain. The match was held at the grounds of Godalming Town.[39] In August 2012 and March 2013 he played in two games against Alderney, a 1–1 draw and 2–1 win respectively.[40]
On 2 September 2017, he played in the Game 4 Grenfell match at Loftus Road, with the match proceeds going to the Grenfell disaster appeal.[41]
Personal life
editLittle's great-grandfather, Albert Lockley, was a Welsh international footballer who played for Chirk.[42]
He has been engaged to American playwright and screenwriter Lindsey Ferrentino, daughter of comedian and magician John Ferrentino since 2018.[43]
Little is not religious and identifies as a humanist. He was appointed a patron of the humanist charity Humanists UK in 2020.[44]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 24 Hour Party People | Hooky (Peter Hook) | |
| Al's Lads | Dan | Also known as Capone's Boys | |
| 2004 | Fat Slags | Milkman | |
| 2005 | Frozen | Eddie | |
| Zemanovaload | Kev | ||
| 2007 | The Waiting Room | Stephen | |
| 2008 | Telstar: The Joe Meek Story | Chas Hodges | |
| 2011 | Life of the Party | Jason | Short film |
| The Itch of the Golden Nit | Fireboy (voice) | Short film | |
| Powder | Syd | ||
| 2012 | Get Lucky | Miles | Short film |
| 2013 | The Unbeatables | Captain Skip (voice, UK dub) | Also known as Metagol, Underdogs and Foosball |
| 2014 | Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?! | Charlie Ford (Sophie's brother) | |
| 2017 | National Theatre Live: Ugly Lies the Bone | Stevie |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–1995 | Sloggers | Scooby | 7 episodes |
| 1995 | Heartbeat | Eddie Tinniswood | Episode: "Vigilante" |
| Elidor | Morris Dancer's Son | 2 episodes: "#1.1" and "#1.4" | |
| 1998 | The Ward | Robbie | Episode: "#10.11" |
| 1998–2010 | The Royle Family | Antony Royle | Main role. 22 episodes |
| 1999 | Coronation Street | Mark Stranks | 3 episodes |
| City Central | Dave | Episode: "Life, Liberty and Pursuit" | |
| Bostock's Cup | Norman Lewis | Television film | |
| The Flint Street Nativity | Clive Cattle / Star of Bethlehem | Television film | |
| Heartbeat | Julian | Episode: "Fire and Ashes" | |
| 2000 | Monkey Trousers | Various characters | |
| Always and Everyone | Frankie | 2 episodes: "Outbreak" and "The Darkest Corners" | |
| Aladdin | Wishee Washee | Television film | |
| 2000–2020 | Soccer AM | Himself | 7 episodes |
| 2001 | The Bill | Tommy Lawson | 3 episodes |
| Is Harry on the Boat? | Trevor | Television film | |
| 2001–2006 | Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps | Jonny Keogh | Main role. 55 episodes |
| 2002 | North Face | Paul | Television short film |
| The Ralf Little Show | Himself - Presenter | 17 episodes | |
| 2002–2003 | Paradise Heights / The Eustace Bros. | Richard Eustace | Main role. 12 episodes |
| 2004 | The Comic Side of 7 Days | Narrator | |
| 2006 | Brief Encounters | Simon | Mini-series. Episode: "Small Things" |
| 2007 | Heartbeat | Stephen Lansbury | Episode: "Seeds of Destruction" |
| KateModern | Gavin Taylore | ||
| Robin Hood | Joseph | Episode: "The Angel of Death" | |
| 2008 | Last Man Standing | Narrator | 10 episodes |
| Massive | Danny Stewart | 6 episodes | |
| Marple | Sergeant Pickford | Episode: "A Pocketful of Rye" | |
| 2008–2019 | Monkey Life | Narrator | 200 episodes |
| 2010 | Married Single Other | Clint | 6 episodes |
| 2011 | Little Crackers | Colin Smith | Episode: "Sheridan Smith's Little Cracker: The Daltons" |
| 2011–2013 | The Café | Richard Dickens | Main role. 13 episodes |
| 2013 | Death in Paradise | Will Teague | Episode: "A Dash of Sunshine" |
| 2014 | Our Zoo | Billy Atkinson | Mini-series. 6 episodes |
| First Dates | Narrator | 8 episodes | |
| 2015 | Drunk History | 'Colonel' Thomas Blood | Episode: "Blackbeard / Colonel Blood / Henry VIII" |
| The Interceptor | Alex | Mini-series. Episode: "#1.6" | |
| Lewis | Sean Wilkinson | 2 episodes: "One for Sorrow: Parts 1 & 2" | |
| 2016 | The Girl Whisperer | Sam | 3 episodes |
| Midsomer Murders | Jared Horton | Episode: "Saints and Sinners" | |
| Hoff the Record | Barman | Episode: "Wedding" | |
| 2016–2017 | Borderline | Narrator / Barry the Plumber | Main role. 12 episodes |
| 2016–2020 | The A Word | Stuart | 4 episodes |
| 2017 | We Have Been Watching | Himself | 5 episodes |
| Doctor Who | Steadfast | Episode: "Smile" | |
| 2018–2022 | Our Yorkshire Farm | Narrator | 32 episodes |
| 2020 | Inside No. 9 | Phil | Episode: "The Referee's a W***er" |
| Ricky & Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip | Himself | 6 episodes | |
| 2020–2024 | Death in Paradise | DI Neville Parker | Main role. 39 episodes (as of 24 March 2024) |
| 2021–2022 | It's Me or the Dog | Narrator | Series 5 & 6, 30 episodes |
| 2022–2023 | Beyond the Yorkshire Farm: Reuben & Clive | Narrator | 4 episodes |
| 2023 | Beyond Paradise | DI Neville Parker | Episode: "#1.6" |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Los Angeles Web Series Festival Best Web Comedy | The Girl Whisperer [45] | Nominated | |
| 2020 | TV Times Award for Favourite Actor | Death in Paradise [45] | Nominated | |
| 2021 | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Barrick, Lucy (20 June 2000). "Answer me: getting personal with Ralf Little". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Ralf Alastair John Litttle". gov.UK. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Face of the Day: Ralph Little; Nice work if you can get it". Herald Scotland. 31 August 2001. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ "BBC One - The Royle Family, Joe's Crackers". BBC. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Ralf Little profile". BBC Comedy. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
- ^ "BBC One - The Royle Family, The Queen of Sheba". BBC. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "BBC One - The Royle Family, The Golden Egg Cup". BBC. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Why did Ralf Little leave two pints of lager and a packet of crisps?". massinitiative.org. 18 December 2019.
- ^ "Stars who were in Corrie before they were famous". Digital Spy. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Aladdin (TV Movie 2000) - IMDb, retrieved 15 January 2023
- ^ Presence by David Harrower, London, Faber and Faber, 2001, ISBN 9780571210596
- ^ a b "Ralf Little interview". BBC Berkshire. 13 May 2004. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
- ^ "Royle Family star gets own chat show". Irish Examiner. 26 June 2002. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Ralf Little Interview". BBC Nottingham. 3 July 2002. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
- ^ The Golden Generation profile Archived 13 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine; thegoldengeneration.co.uk; accessed 18 August 2014.
- ^ "Ralf: This is a passion project". Metro. 22 November 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ French, Dan (14 April 2009). "Ralf Little for 'Married, Single, Other'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
- ^ Cooper, Sarah (17 August 2009). "Red Union's Powder kicks off shoot this weekend at V Festival". Screendaily.com. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
- ^ Hitchings, Henry (21 September 2010). "Ralf Little and Mackenzie Crook take hazy break in stoned silence in The Aliens". The London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
- ^ Evans, Alex (22 November 2013). "Sky's popular sitcom The Café will not be back". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Staff (9 April 2013). "Ralf Little stars in new play". Itv.com. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
- ^ "What's On: Music, Film, & Things To Do in Liverpool". Liverpooldailypost.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
- ^ BBC – Our Zoo – Media Centre
- ^ MacNab, Geoffrey (14 August 2014). "The Unbeatables (3D), film review: Customised British version gets lost in translation". The Independent. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "The Royle Family's Ralf Little to appear in Doctor Who". The Guardian. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "BBC One - Doctor Who, Series 10, Smile". BBC. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "God of Carnage — Theatre Royal Bath". www.theatreroyal.org.uk. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Death in Paradise: Ralf Little confirmed as new detective after Ardal O'Hanlon exit". 20 October 2019.
- ^ "When is Ardal O'Hanlon leaving Death in Paradise – and when is Ralf Little joining?". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Ricky Tomlinson and Ralf Little to star in Gold travel series". British Comedy Guide. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "Royle family star plays for Stones". NonLeagueDaily. 29 July 2003. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
- ^ "Painful start for Little". NonLeagueDaily. 29 October 2004. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
- ^ "Actor Little joins Stone Dominoes". BBC Sport. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
- ^ "Ganet makes Berko switch". NonLeagueDaily. 2 May 2005. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
- ^ "Stars on show at Aldershot". NonleagueDaily. 5 April 2006. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
- ^ "Rayners Lane appoint 'celebrity' coach". NonLeagueDaily. 12 September 2005. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
- ^ "Celtic beat Manchester United in Oxfam's East Africa charity appeal: in pictures". www.telegraph.co.uk. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Staff (7 May 2012). "Ralf Little gets an international cap for Sealand". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
- ^ "Signed, Sealand, delivered -". HeraldScotland. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "#Game4Grenfell: Team Ferdinand prevails". QPR. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Tooley, David (30 June 2022). "Football joy and heartbreak for actor Ralf Little as Chirk family tales revealed". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ Morris, Nicky (26 December 2023). "Meet Death in Paradise star Ralf Little's famous fiancée". HELLO!. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "Humanists UK welcomes new patron, Ralf Little". Humanists UK. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Ralf Little Awards". IMDB (Index source only). Retrieved 25 January 2023.
External links
edit- Ralf Little at IMDb
- "How We Met: Jemima Rooper & Ralf Little". The Independent on Sunday. 24 August 2008.