Julie Walters Meets Willy Russell

Julie Walters and Willy Russell tour the lesser known landmarks of Willy's home town Liverpool for Artsnight

Sometimes the simplest ideas work best. Like this Artsnight half hour spent with old mates Julie Walters and Willy Russell, as they tour the lesser known landmarks of Willy’s home town Liverpool, where Julie learnt her craft at the Everyman Theatre in the 1970s.

Willy wrote Educating Rita, which first gave Julie her West End breakthrough, and then made her a film star, after she appeared in the big-screen version with Michael Caine. So she owes him, big time.

But as they wander down memory lane – Ringo's old house, the pub where the acting crowd used to hang out – it's the obvious bond of friendship that really stands out.