TRIBUTES are pouring in following the passing of Brookside actor Dean Sullivan aged 68.
The star, best known for his portrayal of Jimmy Corkhill on the Channel 4 soap, died peacefully following a short illness.
A statement read: "To millions he was and very much still is remembered as 'Jimmy', to family and friends he was 'Dino'.
"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."
Paying tribute, one fan wrote: "I do love a soap icon, 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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- By Louis Allwood
Tributes flood in
Tributes have poured in this morning for Dean following his tragic death.
Taking to social media one fan said: "I adored #Brookside and Jimmy Corkhill was always my favourite character.
"Rest in peace #DeanSullivan. Thanks for the memories."
A second wrote: "Such sad news about Brookside actor Dean Sullivan, who played the iconic Jimmy Corkhill.
"I met Dean a few times when I worked at C4. He was charming and kind and always sent a thank you card if you secured any publicity for him (pretty rare in PR). RIP Dean"
- By Louis Allwood
Dean Sullivan seen in final picture before his tragic death
Dean Sullivan has sadly passed away at the age of 68 after a five-year battle with cancer.
The Jimmy Corkhill actor admitted he left his health "in the hands of fate" after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018.
The star was pictured at the Everyman theatre in Liverpool two months ago alongside his co-star and former onscreen wife Sue Jenkins, who played Jackie Corkhill in the Channel 4 soap opera.
Dean looked chuffed as he posed next to Sue, 65, back in September, when he supported her as she starred in stage show Cuckoo.
He shared the picture on his social media and penned: "With Sue at Cuckoo at Everyman Liverpool she gives a great performance! Go see!"
Many fans were delighted to see the pair reunite, with one follower writing: "Oh ace. Workplace husband & wife."
- By Henry Moore
Dean Sullivan pulled out of play just days before passing
Dean Sullivan pulled out of a panto show due to “unforeseen circumstances” just a few days before his death.
The Atkinson Theatre, Southport, where he was expected to tread the boards for a three week run, confirmed his departure in a tweet shortly after his withdrawal.
They wrote: “There has been a change to the line-up for this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime.
“Dean Sullivan will no longer be performing in the role of Fleshcreep, as previously advertised and the role will now be played by Mark Paterson.”
- By Simon Garner
Iconic storyline
One of the high-profile storylines Dean Sullivan's character was involved in included his character and Eddie Banks discovering the body under the patio, which remains one of the soap’s most famous storylines.
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.
He graduated from Lancaster University and was a primary school teacher before becoming an actor.
- By Simon Garner
Brookside a TV smash hit
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.
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.
- By Henry Moore
When Dean discovered he had cancer
When the Brookside star was told he had prostate cancer, he only told a handful of close family and friends.
He went on to say he felt "shell shocked" at the news.
He previously told The Mirror: "I remember being a bit shell shocked really, because even though we know these days that one in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer of some sort, you never think it will be you."
- By Henry Moore
What was Dean Sullivan's cause of death?
Dean's cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
In February 2023, Dean told Metro he wasn't ruling out a revival of Brookside, adding: "I think it could work even more so these days because one of the big initial storylines, the Grants were a true working-class family.
"I think there would be a massive appetite for it."
- By Henry Moore
Dean Sullivan opened up about cancer battle
He told the Liverpool Echo: "The way I dealt with it was that I just sort of put myself in the hands of fate. If this was my time, then this was my time so I was quite philosophical about it really.
"I know that people would worry themselves into an early grave as it were but I'm not that sort of person, I try to keep positive about things and I just got on with my life."
The soap opera icon revealed he did not struggle with many of the symptoms usually associated with prostate cancer.
However, he did notice a reduced flow and decided to get checked after listening to his gut instinct.
- By Henry Moore
What else had Dean starred in?
While Dean was best known for Brookside, he also appeared in other TV and radio favourites.
After Brookside, Dean starred in sitcom Terry Across The Mersey and hosted a daily radio show.
In 2019, Dean revealed he had battled prostate cancer but was given the all-clear.
- By Henry Moore
Dean 'passed away peacefully'
Dean's agent this morning revealed he had died peacefully following a short illness.
A statement read: "To millions he was and very much still is remembered as 'Jimmy', to family and friends he was 'Dino'.
"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."
- By Henry Moore
Soap icon passes away aged 68
Brookside actor Dean Sullivan has died aged 68.
The star was best known for his portrayal of Jimmy Corkhill in the Channel 4 soap.
Sullivan was the longest-serving cast member on Brookside – but he was originally only supposed to be in six episodes as recurring character Corkhill.
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