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Brookside star Dean Sullivan dies aged 68

Dean Sullivan joined the cast of Brookside in 1986
Dean Sullivan joined the cast of Brookside in 1986

Actor Dean Sullivan, who was best known for playing Jimmy Corkhill in Brookside, has died at the of 68, his family have confirmed.

Sullivan, who starred in the Channel 4 soap between 1986 - 2003, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018.

In a statement, Sullivan's family said they were announcing with "deep sadness" that the actor "passed away 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'."

It continued: "Dean's family wants to thank Arrowe Park Hospital for their unwavering and consistent support."

"We ask that you respect their privacy in their time of grief."

Sullivan 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.

Dean Sullivan as Jimmy Corkhill on the set of Brookside in 1988

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.

Sullivan 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.

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