BROOKSIDE actor Dean Sullivan has died at the age of 68.
The star was best known for his role as Jimmy Corkhill in the Channel 4 soap.
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Dean Sullivan dies aged 68 Credit: Mersey Television
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The late Queen with Dean Sullivan during a reception at Windsor Castle Credit: PA: Press Association
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Dean Sullivan with his wife Sue on screen in September this year Credits: Facebook
Sullivan was Brookside’s longest-serving cast member – but was originally only supposed to be in six episodes as recurring character Corkhill.
It is known that Jimmy found the body of Trevor Jordache under the terrace with Eddie Banks, and he also struggled with drug addiction during the run of the series.
Dean’s agent revealed this morning that he had passed away peacefully after a short illness.
The statement reads: “He was and still is remembered by millions as ‘Jimmy’, to family and friends he was ‘Dino’.
“Dean’s family would like to thank Arrowe Park Hospital for their unwavering and consistent support.
“We ask that you respect their privacy during their time of grief.”
Dean was due to appear in Southport’s production of Jack And The Beanstalk from December 7 – but pulled out on November 17.
The Atkinson Theater said: “There has been a change to the line-up for this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime.
“Dean Sullivan will no longer appear as Fleshcreep, as previously announced, and the role will now be played by Mark Paterson.”
After Brookside, Dean starred in the sitcom Terry Across The Mersey and hosted a daytime radio show.
In 2019, Dean revealed that he had been battling prostate cancer, but later got the all clear.
Speaking to The Mirror at the time, he said: “I remember being really shocked because even though we know these days that one in three of us will be diagnosed with some form of cancer, you never think it’s going to be you.”
The cause of Dean’s death has not yet been confirmed.
In February 2023, Dean told Metro that he was not ruling out a Brookside revival, adding: “I think it could work even more these days because one of the big initial stories, the Grants were a real working-class family.
“I think there would be a huge appetite for that.”
Brookside, the brainchild of Grange Hill developer Phil Redmond, was launched in November 1982, with its houses located in a true cul-de-sac – part of a housing estate in West Derby, Liverpool.
The series launched the careers of dozens of famous actors, including Amanda Burton, Claire Sweeney and Anna Friel.
The last episode was filmed in September 2003 and aired in November of that year – and Jimmy Corkhill’s face was the last to fill the screen.
Sullivan said at the time: “I will miss it, but I won’t miss having my life completely controlled by my answering machine. It’s like being released from prison.
“Last week I started doing flaps, which I’ve never been able to do before.”
Sullivan was a two-time winner of the British Soap Awards and has had roles in other TV dramas, including the BBC’s Doctors and ITV’s The Royal.
Screenwriter Jonathan Harvey hailed Brookside character Dean Sullivan as “iconic” as he paid tribute.
Harvey, who is a writer for Coronation Street, wrote on Xu, formerly known as Twitter: “I love soap icons and they didn’t come more iconic than Jimmy Corkhill.
“What terribly sad news. Beloved actor Dean Sullivan has passed away. My thoughts are with his many friends and family xx”
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He previously spoke about his battle with prostate cancerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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The Corkhill family, played by (left to right) Claire Sweeney, Dean Sullivan, Sue Jenkins and George Christopher Credit: PA
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