Brookside legend Dean Sullivan dies aged 68

Actor and director Dean Sullivan, who starred in Brookside, has died at the age of 68, it has been announced.

Dean Sullivan, who was born and educated in Liverpool, played Jimmy Corkhill in Brookside, which at its peak regularly drew in audiences of eight million.

A statement from Hamilton Management and Dean’s family 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 joined Channel 4 programme Brookside in 1986 and soon became a series regular due to the popularity of his character.

Brookside, the brainchild of Grange Hill creator Phil Redmond, launched in November 1982, with its houses situated in a real cul-de-sac – part of a housing estate in West Derby, Liverpool.

The show launched the careers of dozens of high-profile actors, including Amanda Burton, Claire Sweeney and Anna Friel.

The last episode was filmed in September 2003 and aired in November the same year – and it was Jimmy Corkhill’s face that last filled the screen.

Dean said at the time:

“I will miss it but I won’t miss my life being completely controlled by my answer machine. It’s rather like being released from prison.

“Last week I started growing my sideburns and I’ve never been able to do that before.”

Sullivan was a two-time British Soap Awards winner and had roles in other TV dramas, including BBC’s Doctors and ITV’s The Royal.

Dean also hosted his own show on Liverpool radio station from 2008-2009, and was due to appear in pantomime this Christmas in Southport.

For the latest news in Liverpool click here.