The special will also pay tribute to the late Dean Sullivan
17:10, 28 Aug 2025Updated 21:37, 28 Aug 2025
The street sign at Brookside Close(Image: Channel 4)
Two iconic Brookside actors are set to return to screens this autumn as part of a special crossover marking Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary. John McArdle and Paul Usher will reprise their roles as Billy Corkhill and Barry Grant when Brookside Close is brought back to our television screens for the first time since the soap ended in 2003.
John’s character Billy Corkhill became a fan favourite in the 1980s after moving to the Close with wife Doreen and their teenage children. The storyline explored men’s mental health through Billy’s breakdown following unemployment, a narrative that strained his marriage and ultimately led to divorce.
Billy later remarried Sheila Grant, played by Sue Johnston OBE, who has also been confirmed to return for the special. As part of the anniversary episodes, Billy will also be seen visiting Hollyoaks village.
Paul Usher will once again play Barry Grant, one of Brookside’s most infamous figures.
Originally introduced as the eldest son of Bobby and Sheila Grant, Barry transformed from cheeky teen to feared gangster.
His chequered past included numerous crimes and one of the soap’s most notorious storylines, the murder of Sue and Danny Sullivan in 1991.
Actor John McArdle in character as Billy Corkhill in television soap Brookside, circa 1989(Image: Photo by TV Times via Getty Images)
Despite his villainous streak, Barry became one of Brookside’s most enduring and popular characters.
The crossover will also pay tribute to the late Dean Sullivan, who played Billy’s brother Jimmy from 1986 until the show’s closure.
Jimmy was the soap’s longest-serving character, remembered for dramatically leaving the Close by altering the street sign to read “Brookside Closed.”
Filming for the anniversary special began this month, with scenes at the original West Derby cul-de-sac given rare approval by local residents and the Liverpool Film Office.
The episodes will air in October.
Actor Paul Usher who plays Barry Grant phones the Fire Brigade after setting the shop on fire. 9th September 1992.(Image: Mirrorpix)
Executive producer Hannah Cheers described the project as “a love letter” to both Hollyoaks and Brookside.
She said: “Brookside gave birth to Hollyoaks, it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets.
“This special feels like both a moving and fitting tribute to our origin story and a chance for fans to revisit much-loved characters in honour of that legacy.”
Series creator Sir Phil Redmond also welcomed the crossover, saying it was “bittersweet” to reflect on Brookside’s history, but praised Lime Pictures for paying homage to the groundbreaking soap.
“It is great that Lime Pictures are paying homage in their Hollyoaks anniversary cross over episodes.
“I can’t wait to see how all the gardens are coping in the heatwave and, who knows, what might pop up if someone decides to re-lay their patio. I know we left something else down there.”
Fans can catch up with Brookside from the very beginning on STV Player, following a full digital restoration in partnership with Lime Pictures an All3Media International.