Ralf Little

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) as well as the spin-offs, Beyond The Yorkshire Farm: Reuben and Clive and Reuben: Life in the Dales. From 2020 to 2024, he starred as Detective Inspector Neville Parker in Death in Paradise.

Early life and education

Ralf Alastair John Little was born in February 1980 in Oldham and attended Bolton School (Boys' Division) and later living in Whitefield near Bury. His younger brother, Ross Little, is also an actor and played Michael Gilder in Born and Bred. Their parents are accountants.

In 1998, Little abandoned his studies at the University of Manchester medical school in order to concentrate on his acting career.

Career

Some of his early television roles included minor roles in various programmes such as Elidor, Children's Ward and Sloggers. 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.

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. 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.

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.

In December 2000, Little played Wishee Washee in the ITV Panto Aladdin, which was filmed in the New Wimbledon Theatre.

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. In 2004, he played the title character in Billy Liar at the Theatre Royal in Windsor. 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.

Other film credits include 24 Hour Party People (playing Joy Division and New Order bass player Peter Hook) 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.

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. 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.

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 He also worked on the film Powder. 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. In 2011, he appeared as Richard Dickens in the comedy series The Café, shown on Sky 1, which he co-wrote with Michelle Terry.

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.

In 2014, he appeared in the TV series Our Zoo. He also voiced Captain Skip in The Unbeatables, the English version of Argentine animated film Foosball.

He appeared as the character Steadfast in "Smile", the second episode of the 10th series of the BBC1 series Doctor Who in 2017.

In August 2018, Little starred as "Alan" in God of Carnage at the Theatre Royal, Bath.

In October 2019, he was confirmed as the new lead in Death in Paradise, returning to the series as a new character, DI Neville Parker, six years after his one-episode guest appearance.

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.

He confirmed a partnership with and their rum brand, becoming an ambassador for 2023-24.

In 2026, he played the lead role of Alec Leamas in a production of John Le Carré's The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, which toured the UK between March and August, starting at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley.

Football career

Little, a supporter of Manchester United, 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. He joined Isthmian League side Edgware Town in October 2004, making his debut in the FA Vase game against Waltham Abbey.

He played for Chertsey Town during the 2007–08 season and on 8 July 2008 signed for North West Counties League side Stone Dominoes. He has also played celebrity football matches for charity on a few occasions 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. 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.

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. In August 2012 and March 2013 he played in two games against Alderney, a 1–1 draw and 2–1 win respectively.

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.

Personal life

Little's great-grandfather, Albert Lockley, was a Welsh international footballer who played for Chirk.

He has been engaged to American playwright and screenwriter Lindsey Ferrentino, daughter of comedian and magician John Ferrentino since 2018. They reportedly split up in 2024.

Little identifies as a humanist. He was appointed a patron of the humanist charity Humanists UK in 2020.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

External links

• at IMDb
• . The Independent on Sunday. 24 August 2008.