After years, we're now reunited with our favourite Brookside characters as original episodes are streaming on STV player.
The soap, affectionately known as 'Brookie,' was based in Liverpool and first hit our screens over 40 years ago on November 2, 1982. In 2003, after a 2,915-episode run, Brookside ended, but it is now 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
Over the years, a number of families were at the centre of the biggest storylines. The Liverpool ECHO recently took a look back at the Grant family and where they are now - as well as the Dixon's - and now we're revisiting another of Brookie's most memorable families.
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The Corkhills, first consisting of Billy, his wife Doreen Corkhill and their teenage children Rod and Tracy Corkhill arrived at The Close in the 1980s and from there we saw other memorable relatives such as Jimmy come into the fold. As the soap returns to our screens, we take a look back at some of the Corkhill family and where they are now.
This list is not intended to be comprehensive and includes a number of the Corkhills and things about some of the stars since they departed the soap. But if you feel there is something we should have included, let us know in the comments section.
Billy Corkhill - John McArdle
In the early days of Brookside, Billy Corkhill was an integral part of the cast. Played by John McArdle, the character faced financial troubles, which saw him stage a burglary of his own home and later suffer with his mental health.
Leaving the soap in 1990, John went on to appear in episodes of Merseybeat, Heartbeat, Casualty, The Bill and Holby City. In 2010, he also played Christopher Mead's father in Waterloo Road.
Also an accomplished stage actor, John has been seen in the likes of Our Country's Good at the Liverpool Playhouse and Frank in Mike Yeaman’s comedy Canoeing For Beginners at Liverpool's Royal Court. In 2016, John joined the cast of Emmerdale as plumber Ronnie Hale.
Doreen Corkhill - Kate Fitzgerald
Kate Fitzgerald played matriarch Doreen Corkhill on the soap. A dramatic exit story saw Doreen's marriage end and her abandon her children, but she later returned to find Billy had moved on with Sheila Grant.
Kate is also known for her role as Nancy Tinker in Coronation Street. In 2017, she returned to our screens playing Loretta on ITV's Benidorm from 2017.
Post Brookie, Kate has also appeared in The Bill, Casualty and Queer as Folk. Other notable works include ITV ’s Cilla Black biopic and Peak Practice.
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Rod Corkhill - Jason Hope
From the 1980s, Rod Corkhill was played by actor Jason Hope. Earning the nickname Rod the Plod after joining the police force, his storyline also centred around his relationship with Diana. Whilst on the show, many will remember Jason turned on the Liverpool Christmas lights with co-stars Jenny Hesketh, Sunetra Sarker and Danny McCall.
But after leaving Brookside, Jason went on to work in another industry. In 2001, it was reported how Jason was said to have been working as a hairdresser.
At the time, he was featured on the ITV series "After They Were Famous."
Who is your favourite Brookside character? Let us know in the comments section below.
Tracy Corkhill - Justine Kerrigan
Justine Kerrigan played Tracy Corkhill and her time on the show was very unique. Like three-part series, Damon and Debbie, Tracy Corkhill and Jamie Henderson, played the late Sean McKee, also starred in their own 'soap bubble.'
Airing in 1988, the mini series, named South, followed the couple trying to start a new life in London. Since the soap ended, Justine has reunited with her former cast mates over the years to relive their Brookie days.
In 2012, the ECHO reported how Justine attended a reunion to celebrate 30 years since Brookside first hit our screens and in 2019, Justine and cast mates like Suzanne Collins and Alex Fletcher enjoyed a night of nostalgia at Liverpool's Hilton Hotel. On social media, Justine's Twitter bio reads: "Ex brookie, proper foodie and dog lover. most proudly NHS 22 years service."
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Jimmy Corkhill - Dean Sullivan
Jimmy Corkhill, played by Dean Sullivan, joined the series in 1986 as Billy's brother. Featuring in major storylines, Dean appeared on the show until it ended, becoming the longest-featured character.
The ECHO previously reported how in 2008, Dean Sullivan reportedly wanted to buy 13 houses on Brookside Close because he wanted to revive the show. In August 2011, he expressed his interest in returning to television screens as Jimmy Corkhill in another TV series, such as Corrie or EastEnders.
More recently, in 2019, he directed The Importance of being Earnest at the Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Liverpool. That same year, he revealed he'd battled prostate cancer, with many fans wishing him well and today he remains in the industry.
Lindsay Corkhill - Claire Sweeney
After a 10-year stint in Brookside, Claire Sweeney appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and in the West End musical, Chicago. She went on to appear on TV shows including Strictly Come Dancing and Loose Women, as her theatre career continued to flourish.
Claire has starred in a UK tour of the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and co-wrote her own stage show Sex in the Suburbs in 2014, as well as Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 and hosting her own cabaret night at Proud Cabaret, the Embankment, London. Claire has also appeared in Benidorm and BBC comedy Scarborough.
Last year, Paul O’Grady and Claire Sweeney were nominated for prestigious awards ahead of the Rainbow Honours award ceremony. More recently, it was announced that special commentary team on BBC Radio Merseyside, including Claire and the winner of ‘The Voice of Eurovision’ talent search, is currently underway to discover new Scouse talent.
Diana Corkhill - Paula Frances
In the 1990s, Paula Frances arrived on the Close as the love interest of Rod Corkhill. Her first television role, the actress, now known as Paula Lamb, went on to appear in Doctors.
In 2019, the ECHO reported how Paul continues to act and at the time was rehearsing for a production of Desperate Scousewives at The Brindley theatre in Runcorn. Now a fitness instructor, Paula runs bootcamps and boxing and won an award for the North West Instructor of the year at the Community Fitness Awards after being nominated by people in her classes.
Paula decided to go to university after finding herself at a crossroad, with two kids and a desire for purpose and stability. She studied health nutrition at Hope University.
Jackie Corkhill - Sue Jenkins
Previously known for her role as Gloria Todd in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, in 1991, Sue Jenkins joined Brookside as Jackie Corkhill. Ex-wife of Jimmy, the character had been mentioned on the soap years prior to arriving on the Close.
Since leaving Brookside, Sue has continued to work in theatre and television, in the likes of Holby City, Merseybeat, Heartbeat, Dalziel & Pascoe and Midsomer Murders. She has also starred in Casualty and Doctors, as well as presenting Loose Women in the 00s and taking to the stage for productions in Liverpool/
Sue is married to the actor David Fleeshman, who appeared in Boys From The Blackstuff, and together they have three children, including actor and singer Richard Fleeshman. Her Twitter bio also states: "Actor/Director Co Founder The Actors' Lab Ltd. Director of multi award winning ’Narcissist In The Mirror."
Little Jimmy Corkhill - George Christopher
After rising to fame at the age of 15, George Christopher quickly became one of the most popular young actors on TV. George Wilson - also known by his stage name George Christopher - took on the role of Ziggy Greaves in Grange Hill, as well as Little Jimmy Corkhill in Brookside.
George, 51, who comes from West Derby and today lives in Huyton, has also appeared in other productions including a play about the Hillsborough disaster while, in 2020, appearing in Sphere of Fear 2 and then BBC's Pointless Celebrities ore recently. George has been with his partner, Mel, for over 20 years and together they have one son, Kirk
He has also been very open about his mental health struggles after being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at the age of 40. Talking to The ECHO in 2019, he spoke about his trauma and near-tragedy while talking about his book, 'From Grange Hill To Bipolar and Back'.
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