The crossover episode will pay tribute to the late stars who made the show so great, such as the Jimmy Corkhill actor
Dean Sullivan spoke to the ECHO in 2023 before his death later that year(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
Excitement is building as Brookside Close will return to our screens on Wednesday (October 22). The famous L12 cul-de-sac will be back on the box for the first time in 22 years for a special crossover episode with Hollyoaks.
The landmark episode is in celebration of Hollyoaks 30th anniversary and the crossover will also pay homage to the body of work of Sir Phil Redmond, who created both shows. The episode will air at 7pm on E4 and will see many Brookside legends reprise the roles that turned them into stars.
Sue Johnston, Ricky Tomlinson, Michael Starke and Philip Olivier are among some of the stars returning for the one-off episode. However, Sir Phil spoke about how the return is slightly bittersweet as it made him think of all the stars who made Brookside great who have since passed away.
When the return was announced, he said: “It is always bittersweet thinking back to Brookie, the reminders of its success and impact, but the thoughts of many, like Dean Sullivan and Bill Dean, who are no longer with us.
“But it is great that Lime Pictures are paying homage in their Hollyoaks anniversary crossover episodes.” Dean Sullivan is one of Brookside’s most famous faces and will be sadly missed from the crossover episode after he died aged 68 in 2023.
The actor was synonymous for his role as Jimmy Corkhill and reflected on his association with the show in in his last interview with the ECHO in August 2023. He said: “Journalists have said to me in the past, ‘do you think it’ll be a shame that you’ll only be remembered for Jimmy Corkhill?’
“I say ‘hang on a moment’ you’ve got to remember I got a soap lifetime achievement award. I’ve had numerous awards for best actor over the years.
“Jimmy Corkhill has given me the most wonderful lifestyle. I’ve got my own house, I’ve been all over the world. Do you think I’d begrudge all that? I don’t think so.”
The character of the loveable rogue from Liverpool struck a chord with people from all over and Dean explained his enduring appeal was due to the way Brookside was unafraid to tackle hard-hitting issues. He said: “A television soap opera had never been seen like that before.
“It was so real and it dealt with real people and real topics that happened to so called real people. The cost of living crisis, the power of the unions, we dealt with mental health with my character.
“This programme was first made 40 years ago. 40 years later and those issues are still as prevalent today.”
Dean spoke about the idea of a full Brookside reboot and also said he would have always be on board with the idea. He said: “There’s an appetite for it because it’s had millions of hits on STV. I’ve mentioned this to [show creator] Phil Redmond in the past. It would be great to do a whole series based around where are they now.”
“[Jimmy] would still be on the wrong side of the law because that’s the way he always was. A leopard doesn’t change his spots. He’d probably be in a care home somewhere looking after old people but maybe dipping into their pensions.”
However, Dean also stipulated that he would have only ever returned to the show if it was “on [his] own terms”. He said: “No early morning calls, no getting up at 5am to be in the makeup chair for 7am. None of that. No late night calls either. I could only work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.”
He added: “Sometimes if you had a main storyline and you were busy, you had time for nothing else. You’d be in all day long and then you’d go home with an armful of scripts. I used to just sit at the kitchen table and just learn scripts.”
Dean spoke to the ECHO in 2023 ahead of his role as a guest keynote speaker for the 25th edition of the Pause for Hope service at the Metropolitan Cathedral, in support of people who have been affected by cancer.
Dean was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018 and wanted to spread an important message to raise awareness on the condition. He said: “The first time I went to the doctor’s surgery he said we’ll just keep an eye on it and see how you go on. It was a few weeks later, I just knew that wasn’t right.”
He added: “When I went back I saw a doctor who specialised in prostate treatment. He gave me a quick examination and within two weeks I was at the hospital speaking to the consultant.
“If I’d have listened to the first doctor, it might have been a different story so always trust your gut. 11 times out of 10, you’re right. We’ve still got that fight or flight instinct.”
The sad news of Dean’s death was confirmed by his agent in a statement. It said: “It is with deep sadness we must tell you that actor Dean Sullivan passed away on 29th November 2023 peacefully following a short illness.
“Dean is best remembered as the longest serving cast member of Channel 4’s groundbreaking ‘Brookside’ playing the role of ‘Jimmy Corkhill’, making Dean a British Soap icon. To millions he was and very much still is remembered as ‘Jimmy’, to family and friends he was ‘Dino’.
“Dean’s family wants to thank Arrowe Park Hospital for their unwavering and consistent support. We ask that you respect their privacy in their time of grief.“
His legacy as Jimmy will never be forgotten as many of his co-stars turned up to his funeral at Liverpool Parish Church to pay tribute.
Claire Sweeney, who played Lindsey Corkhill in Brookside, was in attendance to pay respect to her onscreen dad. The Coronation Street star told the ECHO how special it was to be reunited with Dean at the British Soap Awards and said his legacy will always be remembered.
She said: “Everyone loved Dean. When he walked out at the Soap Awards, there was a gasp. There’s Jimmy Corkhill. He was a legendary character. The final shot at the very last episode was on Dean. He was the epitome of Brookside and he was wonderful.”