![\"Sue](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SEC_263020211-6558.jpg\")
\n\t\tCaption: Sue Johnston now and her as Shelia Grant<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tCaption: Sue Johnston now and her as Shelia Grant<\/p>\n
Sue Johnston is reprising her breakout role as Sheila Grant, 35 years after leaving Brookside<\/a>.<\/p>\n The BAFTA-nominated actress, one of Britain\u2019s most celebrated talents thanks to her role in Caroline Aherne\u2019s The Royle Family, is returning to her roots in a hugely unexpected twist\u2014she\u2019ll play her cherished character Sheila once again in a special Brookside\u2013Hollyoaks crossover<\/a> this autumn.<\/p>\n She enthused: \u2018It\u2019ll be so lovely to go back and be Sheila for a day, as it was such a big, enjoyable part of my life.\u2019<\/p>\n Johnston is the first name confirmed for the landmark special episode, which will see the two Liverpudlian soaps come together to celebrate 30 years of Hollyoaks.<\/p>\n Brookside ended in 2003, with Hollyoaks subsequently taking over as Channel 4\u2019s flagship continuing drama.<\/p>\n Executive Producer Hannah Cheers said of the crossover: \u2018This episode is a love letter to both Hollyoaks and Brookside.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018Brookside gave birth to Hollyoaks \u2014 it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets.<\/p>\n \u2018For everyone at Lime Pictures (originally Mersey TV), Hollyoaks\u2019 history is deeply rooted in Brookside, and its legacy lives on through our crew and, of course, some of our cast.<\/p>\n \u2018This special feels like both a moving and fitting tribute to our origin story and a chance for fans to revisit much-loved Brookside characters in honour of that legacy. These iconic Brookside characters are soap archetypes that helped define British TV\u2014archetypes that new generations are still discovering now through Hollyoaks.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Sheila was one of the most beloved characters in Brookside and remains one of the most innovative and important figures in soap history.<\/p>\n The Grant family launched Brookside in 1982 and quickly became an audience favourite. Ricky Tomlinson starred as Sheila\u2019s husband, Bobby, with the actors famously reuniting as Jim and Barbara Royle in The Royle Family in 1998.<\/p>\n Sheila was a survivor whose storylines deeply resonated with viewers. <\/p>\n Her most famous arc came in 1986, when she was attacked, raped, and beaten by an unknown assailant after getting out of a taxi. Many Brookside residents were suspected, but the attacker was ultimately revealed to be the taxi driver.<\/p>\n The special will mark the first new Brookside episode since 2003.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us\u00a0soaps@metro.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Join the community by leaving a comment below and\u00a0stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\tComments Arrow Arrow![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SEI_141543013-060d.jpg\")
\n\t\tShelia lead the Grant Family who launched Brokisde in 1982 (Picture: PA)<\/p>\n![\"Sue](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SEI_229798569-f216.jpg\")
\n\t\tJohnston and Ricky Tomlinson later reunited in The Royle Family (Picture: BBC) <\/p>\n
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\nMORE: \u2018Masterpiece\u2019 Nordic noir series now available to stream for free in the UK<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: \u2018I\u2019m even more excited for this new reality show than Celebrity Traitors\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n