Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
As excitement builds for the return of Brookside, which is being revived as part of sister soap Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary celebrations, even more big names are confirmed to be taking part.
So far, we’ve heard that Sue Johnston is reprising her role as the show’s original matriarch Sheila Grant, alongside John McArdle as her second husband Billy Corkhill, and Paul Usher, who is back as her on-screen son, iconic bad boy Barry Grant.
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And Inside Soap can now exclusively reveal that Philip Olivier and Suzanne Collins are on board as Tim ‘Tinhead’ O’Leary and Nikki Shadwick.
“I’m honoured and privileged to be part of this special episode and to play Nikki again,” says Suzanne, who appeared in the show from 1998 until its 2003 finale.
“I feel like I’m going home. It will be emotional without our darling Dean Sullivan [who played Brookie’s longest-serving character, Jimmy Corkhill, and passed away in 2023], but I think he will be looking down on us and beaming with pride.”
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Related: 8 huge Hollyoaks spoilers for this week (1 to 3 September)
On reprising his role as Tinhead, Philip added: “It was a delight and surprise to be asked to join this special episode for Hollyoaks’ anniversary.
“When I was first cast in Brookside aged 15, I would never have thought that 30 years on, people would still be calling me ‘Tinhead’!
“I remember my time on Brookside with great affection and will relish returning to ‘the Close’.”
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Related: Brookside Close locals to open doors for shocking Hollyoaks storyline
Beyond the Brookside crossover, it’s been revealed Billy Corkhill will appear in future episodes of Hollyoaks as the character visits the village – but for what reason?
Keep an eye out for further announcements about more Brookie comebacks.
Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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