15 Brookside stars as we remember them in legendary Channel 4 soap

The soap first aired back in 1982

It’s been more than 40 years since iconic Channel 4 soap Brookside first hit our screens, fans still have their favourite storylines, characters and have followed the careers of many Brookie stars since the show ended. Based in Liverpool, Brookside’s first episode was released on November 2, 1982. and from there we got to know numerous families living in 13 houses on the famous cul-de-sac.

Over the years, the show, created by Phil Redmond, was a huge part of many households. In 2003, after a 2,915-episode run, Brookside ended, but it has since been possible to stream the soap on STV Player.

And with the show having been on our screens so long, generations of us grew up with its characters, seeing them change before our eyes, the ECHO previously reported. Today, they may be associated with different TV shows, projects and industries, but true Brookie fans will remember them as they’re seen here.

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Here, we take another look back at a number of Brookside stars through the years – from how they appeared in the early days of the soap to now. For Brookie fans, these are bound to stir some memories.

This list isn’t intended to be comprehensive. But, you can see who you remember in our list of former Brookside stars below.

15. Sue Johnston – Sheila Grant

After first appearing in Coronation Street as Mrs Chadwick in 1982, Sue went on to play Sheila Grant in Brookside. Appearing in the first ever episode of Brookside, her character becoming involved in some of the soap’s biggest storylines.

Her most famous storyline was in 1986, when the character was attacked, raped and beaten by an unknown assailant. Sue departed the show in 1990, but later reunited with on screen husband Ricky Tomlinson to star in BBC’s The Royle Family.

14. Ricky Tomlinson – Bobby Grant

Ricky Tomlinson has been entertaining families on Merseyside for decades. But he was also loved for playing Bobby Grant from 1982 to 1988 on Brookside.

Over 40 years after the sop first aired, Ricky returned to Brookside as Bobby Grant ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023. Earlier this year, the ECHO reported how The Royle Family star joined a host of famous faces and was filmed by the BBC, with one scene showing him hanging Ukrainian flag bunting outside the character’s family home on Brookside Close, using a yellow and blue step ladder.

13. Jack McMullen – Josh Dixon

Josh Dixon, previously McLoughlin, was one of the younger members of the Dixon clan. Jack McMullen made his television debut as on the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, playing the role for almost a decade.

The result of a one-night stand, Jack’s character was the son of Bev and Mike Dixon – but Bev had been in a relationship with Mike’s dad, Ron. In 2003, Jack won two British Soap Awards for his role in the show; the first for Best Newcomer, and the second for Best On-Screen Partnership with co-star Sarah White.

12. Jennifer Ellison – Emily Shadwick

Jennifer Ellison became known for playing Emily Shadwick in Brookside in 1998. Becoming a household name in the soap, Jennifer remained on Brookside until the year it was axed in 2003.

Her character was killed off after falling through a window during a siege. Last year, Jennifer also reminisced about her Brookside days on social media after it was announced the show was returning to our screens.

11. Paul Usher – Barry Grant

Paul Usher took on the role of Barry in the soap from 1982, appearing from the start as a member of the famous Grant family. He also starred in spin-off Brookside: The Lost Weekend.

Barry was the only character to appear in the first ever episode in November 1982 and the final episode in November 2003. Being one of the more villainous characters of the soap, Barry had many feuds and was responsible for many deaths through the years.

10. Anna Friel – Beth Jordache

One of the most successful ex-Brookside stars, Anna Friel played Beth Jordache for two years on the soap. She first joined the soap 30 years ago in 1993.

Her role as Beth Jordache made headlines when she shared British TV’s first lesbian kiss, with Margaret Clemence. The moment changed the world for many, and is still spoken about today, with the episode having being shown in more than 70 countries.

9. Claire Sweeney – Lindsey Corkhill

Claire Sweeney made her Brookside debut back in 1991 as Lindsey Corkhill. Promoted to being part of the regular cast by 1995, she appeared in 1,623 episodes.

One of her biggest storylines saw Lindsey and Mike Dixon arrested in Thailand after her furious ex-husband Gary planted drugs in her daughter Kylie’s teddy bear. Claire remained on Brookside until the year it was axed in 2003.

8. Simon O’Brien – Damon Grant

Simon O’Brien began acting in 1982 in the first episode of Brookside, at the age of 16. Alongside Gillian Kearney, he helped Channel 4 make history by starring in Britain’s first mini-series spin-off from a soap opera.

In November 1987, the three-part series, Damon and Debbie, hit our screens and was described as TV’s first “soap bubble,” which saw the couple settle in York. But things didn’t go smoothly – after a mock marriage in a hotel room, Damon was stabbed by an unknown assailant on the streets of York and died in Debbie’s arms.

7. John McArdle – Billy Corkhill

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.

John had first starred in the soap for a number of episodes as a different character. But from 1985 to 1990, he starred in over 80 episodes as Billy Corkhill.

6. Sue Jenkins – Jackie Corkhill

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.

Among Sue’s biggest storylines were when Jackie had an affair with neighbour Ron Dixon and her son, ‘Little Jimmy’ Corkhill,’ was murdered. Sue remained on the show for a decade, leaving in 2001.

5. Alex Fletcher – Jacqui Dixon

Jacqui Dixon later changed her surname after becoming the third wife of Max Farnham. Jacqui became a mum in 1998 to son Harry, who she shared with Max, originally as a surrogate and the couple married in 2001.

Played by Alex Fletcher, Jacquie featured in 404 episodes of the show, stretching from 1990 to 2003, which saw her nominated for British Soap Awards. The star more recently met up with her former co-stars Tiffany Chapman, who played Rachel Jordache, Bev McLoughin actress Tracie White, and Dianne Burke, who played Katie Rogers, as fans were thrilled to see on her Instagram.

4. Amanda Burton – Heather Huntingdon/Haversham/Black

Heather Black was Amanda’s first TV role and she soon became one of the show’s most popular residents. The Northern Irish actress appeared in 143 episodes of the long-running channel 4 soap from 1982.

She was involved in iconic storylines including the death of her husband Nicholas Black – which led her to return back to the character’s maiden name of Haversham. She left the show after four years in 1986.

3. Gillian Kearney – Debbie McGrath

Gillian Keaney played teenager Debbie McGrath on Brookie from 1986. The love interest of Damon Grant, played by Simon O’Brien, as mentioned previously, they also helped make Channel 4 make history by starring in Britain’s first mini-series spin-off from a soap opera.

The series, written by Frank Cottrell Boyce, followed the sweethearts leaving Brookside and deciding to elope. After Damon’s murder, Debbie briefly returned to the Close following the birth of their son, Simon.

2. Sarah White – Bev Dixon

Sarah White played Bev McLoughlin, and then Bev Dixon, from 1993 to 2003. Things seemed to go smoothly after Ron and Bev’s affair, but in 1993, she gave birth to her son Josh – who was in fact Ron’s grandson.

The baby’s father was actually Ron’s son, Mike – and it wasn’t until 2003 that Ron and Bev married and left the Close for a new life with Josh. In 2020, Sarah White also starred in a music video alongside on-screen husband Ron, played by Vince Earl.

1. Vince Earl – Ron Dixon

Prior to life on the soap, Birkenhead-born Vince was known for performing with his own Merseybeat bands Vince Earl & the Attractions and Vince Earl & The Talismen. Vince Earl remained on the show till its demise in 2003 and in his time, character Ron Dixon was at the centre of a number of feuds – both with neighbours and his partners.

In 2020, Cheshire Live reported how Vince, alongside Sarah White, who played his wife Bev, starred in Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott’s music video for their single You and Me (Were Meant to be Together) The actor revealed he still keeps in touch with fellow Chester resident Steve Pinder who played Max Farnham in Brookie and Hollyoaks actress Alex Fletcher, who portrayed his daughter Jacqui Dixon.