Caroline Aherne was born in London on Christmas eve, but her family moved north when she was a toddler. With an IQ of 176, school was easy, so she kept herself busy, mimicking the nuns for the entertainment of her peers. After school, stand-up proved to be too nerve-wracking for her, but following a stint touch-typing for Janet Street Porter at the BBC, she met Craig Cash at a pirate radio station and the rest as they say, is history.
Craig and Caroline's professional relationship lasted longer than their romantic one - they went on to write both Mrs Merton and The Royle Family together.
Including clips from The Fast Show, The Royle Family, Sister Mary Immaculate and The Mrs Merton Show, as well as excerpts from an interview with friend and comedian John Thomson.
The guest nominating Caroline Aherne is the Broadcaster Shaun Keaveny. The expert is David Scott, aka Argh Kid, author of Rebel in Disguise.
Presented by Matthew Parris. Produced in Bristol for BBC Studios by Ellie Richold.