Bobby Grant is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Ricky Tomlinson. One of the show's original characters, Bobby debuted on-screen during the show's first episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Tomlinson attended a series of auditions in Liverpool after being invited by his friend Tony Scoggo. Various actors were invited back and auditioned in different groups to observe who worked well together. Bobby was cast by show creator and executive producer Phil Redmond and production team member Janet Goddard. The latter expressed her interest in Redmond meeting Tomlinson, as she believed him best suited to the role aesthetically. Tomlinson performed an improvised monologue in front of them to secure the role.
Bobby Grant (Brookside)
Brookside executive producer Phil Redmond created Bobby and cast Tomlinson.
Ricky Tomlinson walked off-set after a dispute with Brookside's production.
Labour MP Rupa Huq has analysed Bobby's role in Brookside.
Brookside is a British television soap opera, set in Liverpool, England, which began on the launch night of Channel 4, 2 November 1982. It ran for 21 years until 4 November 2003. It was produced by Mersey Television and conceived by Grange Hill and Hollyoaks creator Phil Redmond.
Brookside Close in April 2007. (L–R: No. 10, 9 behind tree, 8 and 7)
The Close in October 2007. (L–R: No. 7, 6 and 5)
The Close in April 2023