Brookside is one of the most legendary productions to come out of Liverpool, with never-seen-before-storylines and huge viewing figures in the 1980s and 1990s.
The idea of Grange Hill and Hollyoaks creator Sir Philip Redmond, the series followed the lives of families in a suburban neighbourhood in Liverpool and definitely wasn’t lacking shocking twists and dramatic exits. Though Brookside ended in 2003 - after 21 years on Channel 4 - it paved the way for soap operas to cover controversial topics.
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Featuring local actors, the soap kickstarted the careers of many now well-known faces whose success still continues today. While some of show’s the well-loved actors are sadly no longer with us, others continue to feature on our TV screens.
In honour of International Soap Week, we have taken a look back at the stars of Brookside, who truly helped the series shine.
Below are 17 famous faces who starred in Brookside back in the day. Some are famed for their roles in the hit soap area, while others may surprise you. How many did you know?
9. Dean Sullivan
Dean Sullivan starred in Brookside as Jimmy Corkhill - the show's longest-tenured character. He later hosted a radio show in Liverpool. Sullivan sadly passed away in 2023. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
10. Sue Johnston
Best known for her role as Sheila Grant in Brookside and Barbara Royle in The Royle Family, Sue Johnston was awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool this week. She received an OBE in 2009. Photo: Getty
11. Tina Malone
Well-known for her role as Mimi Maguire in Shameless, Tina Malone played Mo McGee from 1993 to 1998. In 2019, she featured in prison drama, Clink. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images Photo: Liverpool FC via Getty Images
12. Jennifer Ellison
Former glamour model Jennifer Ellison played Emily Shadwick in Brookside and went on to feature on Loose Women and release her own music. She has starred in movies such as The Phantom of the Opera, The Cottage and Hotel Babylon. | Getty Images/Jo Hale Photo: Getty Images/Jo Hale