With the news that Merseyside soap, Brookside, is returning to TV, fans have been buzzing with excitement.
Set in a Liverpool cul-de-sac, the soap drew audiences of nine million viewers at its peak. 20 years on from the last episode, the series will finally return to screens – on the free streaming service, STV Player.
It will now be possible to stream the soap from the start for the first time ever after STV Player struck a major new deal with distributor, All3Media International. However, fans have said that it is "going to take a long while" to watch 21 years' worth of episodes.
READ MORE: Brookside is returning to TV screens for the first time in 20 years
Patsy Brady said: "I had to watch it in secret because it was banned in our house. My mum didn’t want me to start speaking Scouse." Liz Armstrong said: "The only soap I really watched. It dropped off a bit towards the end, but I loved it."
Gillian said: "Only time my mum and I sat still together. It was the best." Mary Kinvig said: "I have two Brookie sweatshirts. I was taken around the set and met some of the actors. Sinbad. Being one of them. Had my lunch there. It was great."
Across its 21-year run, the show became renowned for tackling challenging social issues, such as rape, bullying, and incest. In 1985, teenage character Gordon Collins came out to his family – making him the first-ever openly gay character in a British TV series.
Chris Bebbington remembers the show well he said: "I was an extra a few times on it. I went to Mick Johnson's stag doo, was in prison with "Tinhead" filmed it at the old Deysbrook Barricks and a copper when Ray Quinns character pushed Imelda in the river."
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