
The Royle Family is a British sitcom created by Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash, and produced by Granada Television for BBC Two (series 1) and BBC One (series 2 and 3). It centres on the lives of a television-fixated Manchester family, the Royles, comprising lazy patriarch Jim, his hard-working wife Barbara, their entitled daughter Denise, their put-upon son Antony, and Denise's lad fiancé–later husband–David.





Jim is annoyed when the latest phone bill arrives and finds out someone has been calling Aberdeen. Cheryl brings over a catalogue, and she and Denise decide to buy leather jackets. Meanwhile, Barbara is nervous about starting her new job at the bakers.
The family watch television after having dinner, and are forced to listen to Jim moan about the cost of Denise's upcoming wedding.
It's Sunday afternoon and Nana is visiting. Jim helps Antony do the dishes to avoid listening to her. Meanwhile, Mary and Cheryl come over to help Denise try on her wedding dress and Dave's recovering from a hangover.
It's Jim's birthday. The family celebrate in their own style with cake, pomagne and photos. Meanwhile, Denise has a hangover although she claims it's a headache due to stress, and Antony has a black eye after fighting with the Beswick brothers.
Denise and Dave come home from one of Dave's DJ gigs arguing about Beverly Macca. Barbara consoles a drunk Denise, who tells her Dave was flirting with Beverly. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Dave tells Jim and Antony there was nothing in it. After a talk with Barbara and Jim she forgives Dave and the family engage in a sing-a-long with Jim's banjo.
The morning of Dave and Denise's wedding arrives. Everything is going wrong for the bride who can't stop crying. Dave, Jim and Twiggy have some drinks in the kitchen, and Jim practises his "fatherly" speech. Cheryl thinks Twiggy is trying to "cop" with her, Nana is getting on everyone's nerves and Antony got a haircut.
Barbara and Jim are overwhelmed when Denise announces that she is pregnant. Meanwhile, Antony makes Dave and Denise a bacon sandwich because of their less exciting tea, Dairylea on toast.
Nana and Twiggy come round for Sunday lunch. Barbara loses her temper during lunch. Denise suspects her mother is going through the menopause, or "the change" as Nana puts it.
Jim is annoyed when he learns that Barbara has invited Nana to come and stay after her cataract operation. Antony announces that he's become the manager of a band called 'Exit', which the family find hysterical (especially Jim).
Nana has had her cataract operation and is staying with the Royles. Jim is unwilling to hide his annoyance. Antony's band has split up.
Barbara cries to Denise that she is sick of Jim's laziness and lack of compassion while Jim complains to Dave that it's the menopause that's making Barbara act this way. After a while, Barbara storms out the house, but Jim does nothing and watches Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? with Dave and Denise. Barbara returns and Jim consoles her.
The Royles and all their friends gather at the house to celebrate Antony's 18th birthday. They are all nervous when they finally get to meet his girlfriend Emma.
It's Christmas Day. The family have just finished a big Christmas dinner. Barbara learns her turkey wasn't up to scratch, and Dave buys Denise a mobile phone for when the baby is born. Antony goes to Emma's shortly afterwards, and Dave takes Nana home. Soon after Dave and Nana have left, Denise goes into labour upstairs in the bathroom, and Jim is left to comfort her.
Denise and Dave bring their newborn, Baby David, to visit his grandparents. Barbara is shocked that Denise is leaving all the work to Dave. Meanwhile, Antony brings Darren over, who was caught attempting to steal a fridge/freezer from his place of work.
Baby David has stayed the night with Barbara and Jim so Denise and Dave could go to the pub for their anniversary. They arrive with hangovers. Meanwhile, Joe cut his hand while grating cheese for Cheryl.
Jim and Twiggy decorate the dining area for Baby David's christening by scraping off the wallpaper. Dave is blackmailed into helping when he arrives. Meanwhile in the kitchen, Barbara is cooking bacon sandwiches for everyone whilst talking to Denise and Cheryl.
Nana's old neighbour, Elsie, has died and Nana and Barbara have just returned from the funeral. Jim becomes annoyed with Nana as she fluctuates between mourning and planning to pilfer in Elsie's flat.
Antony announces that he and Darren, the managers of their band, are going to London to find a record deal. Jim continues to pour scorn on their plans, while Nana contributes £3 to their trip.
The day of Baby David's christening has arrived. Everyone has gathered at the Royle house for the buffet Barbara has prepared, including Twiggy's new girlfriend, Michelle. Denise worries she has nothing to talk about with Baby David while Antony announces that he and Emma are getting married (leading Barbara and Jim to guess that Emma is pregnant).
Baby David's first birthday comes around and the Royles' sit down for Christmas dinner. They are joined by Darren and Emma – who is having a baby – and her parents. Emma's father, Roger constantly boasts about his wealth, which annoys Jim. After they leave, Jim's mood is turned around when he receives a Christmas present of Sky TV.