It has been 12 years since any new episodes of BBC’s The Royle Family last aired. The much-loved sitcom ran for three series from 1998 to 2000, with specials from 2006 to 2012.

But since then fans have been desperate to see more from the show. Now, they have been shocked to see some of the programme’s much-loved characters come together once more for a snap that provided a nostalgic hit with viewers.

A picture of four of the main cast members has been doing rounds on social media. It features Ricky Tomlinson who took on the role of Jim, Sue Johnston, who played Barb, Craig Cash who portrayed Dave and Ralf Little who played the part of Anthony.

The actors had aged from their time in the sitcom back in the 90s, making it appear as though the picture had been captured recently – much to the delight of fans.

Commenting on the image, many social media users made the same demand as they begged for the show to return once more. One fan wrote: “Shame we didn’t get Xmas special. I know Caroline passed away but she would love them to carry on with Xmas specials.”

Another suggested: “I’d love them to do an episode dealing with living without Denise and saying she’d died of cancer. Craig and Phil should do that because for everyone life goes on for those left and they have to get on with it and I think they’d make it both poignant and funny.”

“Bring back one more series please,” someone else wrote with praying hands emojis.

However, one person disagreed as they wrote: “Wouldn’t have been the same. They’d either mention her character had died or ‘Stuck in another country’. Best to leave it as it was.”

Others noted how heartbreaking it was to see the cast together without Caroline. Someone wrote: “Love it, but one person missing, bless her.”

Another added: “Bittersweet without Caroline Aherne and Liz Smith,” while a third penned: “I watched an old xmas episode where Denise goes into labour. What a loss of the brilliant Caroline and Liz.”

The BBC show followed the Royle family, with almost all of the episodes taking place in their working-class home all centred around communal family TV viewing. Veteran actor Ricky Tomlinson stars as Jim Royle, the family patriarch and eternal complainer.

Sue Johnston playing Barbara, Tomlinson’s long-suffering wife, with the rest of central cast being made up by Caroline Aherne as Jim’s perhaps not-so-bright but loving daughter Denise, Craig Cash as her easy-going other half Dave, and Ralf Little as youngest son and eternal dogsbody Anthony.

The programme was ended once and for all when writer and actress Caroline became ill when she was diagnosed with cancer. On the morning of 2 July 2016 she died, aged 52.

Following her death Ricky Tomlinson said: “I’m so bloody shocked. She was absolutely wonderful and amazing to work for. Kind, funny, witty.”