Sweeney spoke to the ECHO about Brookside while she opened up on her time on Coronation Street
Claire Sweeney is ‘absolutely thrilled’ to star in ‘Corriedale'(Image: Gerard Binks/Getty Images)
Claire Sweeney was brought to tears by the return of Brookside earlier this year. The iconic Liverpool soap returned to screens in October for a jam-packed episode to mark 30 years of Hollyoaks. Brookside came to an end 22 years ago, but Channel 4 announced earlier this year they would bring it back for a one-off crossover to celebrate Hollyoaks’ impressive milestone.
Brookside, which was Channel 4’s first soap, ran from 1982 to 2003. Filmed and set on Brookside Close in West Derby, the show was pioneering and tackled important social issues in the community in which it was based.
For millions of people, life on Brookside Close was as much a part of their daily routine as what was happening outside their own front door. The show was axed in 2003, but in more than two decades, it was filled with over-the-top drama and wild storylines, breaking ground across the British TV landscape.
Brookside’s return earlier this year brought with it a whirlwind of emotions, with everything from tears, laughter and nostalgia.
The late Dean Sullivan left his mark on Brookside as he established himself as one of the show’s main characters with his iconic portrayal of Jimmy Corkhill. Producers paid a touching tribute to his memory and legacy with a photograph of his character featured in the 2025 episode.
Claire portrayed Lindsey Corkhill on the show and was involved in some of the Liverpool soap’s most memorable moments. In a recent interview with the ECHO, the actress said she was brought to tears by the episode.
Speaking about Brookside’s return, she told the ECHO: “I was emotional you know. When the opening credits came up I had a little whinge, but when I saw the picture of Dean Sullivan in the background of the scene it made me cry. It was emotional and it was lovely.”
Claire spoke to the ECHO at a time when another iconic soap crossover is set to take place, one that will go down in TV history.
The 54-year-old actress has gone on to have an impressive career in showbiz since her Brookside days, currently portraying Cassie Plummer on ITV soap Coronation Street.
The actress has been a hit with fans ever since she arrived on the cobbles as the daughter of Dame Maureen Lipman’s character Evelyn. She first set foot in Weatherfield in 2023 and has been at the centre of the action since.
It’s been a busy time for Cassie as she continues to care for her son Tyrone Dobbs, who was paralysed following a hit and run accident earlier this year. She also found herself falling for Steve McDonald, poisoning the beloved Ken Barlow and fighting with Tracy Barlow in the street.
In a recent interview with the ECHO, Claire said she was “thrilled” to join the soap two years ago and has been “blessed” with her storylines.
Claire Sweeney and James Cartwright attended the “Corriedale” Premiere at The National Science and Media Museum(Image: Gerard Binks/Getty Images)
She told the ECHO: “I was thrilled to join Corrie, my very first scene was a 14 page two-hander with Dame Maureen Lipman, so that was a baptism of fire.”
She added: “I’ve been so blessed with my storylines. To have had that with Maureen then to have poisoned Ken Barlow, cop off with Steve MacDonald, scrap with Tracy Barlow on the cobbles- I’ve been very, very lucky and I’ve loved it.”
But the drama is not slowing down for Claire’s character as she also finds herself caught up in a special episode next month. She has shared some teasers ahead of the Emmerdale and Coronation Street crossover episode, billed as “Corriedale”.
The soap actress is “honoured” to star in the special episode which she described as “epic”. The broadcast will mark a piece of soap history when the worlds of the cobbles and the fictional Yorkshire village will intertwine.
The soap stars were in attendance for the episode’s premiere in Bradford on Tuesday. The ECHO was also in attendance at the star-studded event held at the National Science and Media Museum.
Actors and actresses from both soaps made their way down the red carpet in celebration of the iconic event in showbiz. The ECHO spoke to a range of stars, including Claire, who was quick to praise the episode.