Brookside’s Corkhill family now from Coronation Street to famous soap star son
Brookside is set to make a special return to our screens later this year and we take a look back at some of the iconic families on the soap – including the Corkhills
Brookside is set to make a special return to our screens later this year(Image: TV Times/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
The iconic Liverpool soap Brookside, fondly referred to as Brookie, is poised for a special comeback on our telly later this year. The popular Channel 4 soap, which aired from 1982 to 2003, will return in a crossover episode with its successor Hollyoaks, marking the latter’s 30th anniversary.
This special episode is set to air in October and will pay tribute to Brookside and its Huyton-born creator Sir Phil Redmond, also known for his work on Grange Hill. The crossover will bring back some of Brookside’s most memorable characters, giving us a glimpse into their lives more than two decades later.
Over the years, several families were at the heart of the biggest storylines – and as Brookside gears up for a special return in 2025, we’re taking another look at one of the show’s most famous clans and where they are now.
The Corkhills, initially made up of Billy, his wife Doreen Corkhill and their teenage children Rod and Tracy Corkhill, moved to The Close in the 1980s.
From there, we saw other unforgettable relatives – such as Jimmy – join the mix. As Brookside prepares for a comeback over 20 years after its conclusion, we’re revisiting some of the Corkhill family and their current whereabouts…, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Billy Corkhill – John McArdle
Actor John McArdle in character as Billy Corkhill in television soap Brookside, circa 1989(Image: Photo by TV Times via Getty Images)
In the early days of Brookside, Billy Corkhill was a key character. Portrayed by John McArdle, the character grappled with financial woes, leading him to stage a burglary at his own home and later struggled with mental health issues.
After leaving the soap in 1990, John featured in episodes of Merseybeat, Heartbeat, Casualty, The Bill and Holby City. In 2010, he also took on the role of Christopher Mead’s father in Waterloo Road.
John, also a skilled stage actor, has performed in productions such as Our Country’s Good at the Liverpool Playhouse and Frank in Mike Yeaman’s comedy Canoeing For Beginners at Liverpool’s Royal Court. In 2016, John joined the Emmerdale cast as plumber Ronnie Hale. More recently, he has made appearances in Doctors.
Doreen Corkhill – Kate Fitzgerald
Actress Kate Fitzgerald in character as Doreen Corkhill in television soap Brookside, circa 1985(Image: Photo by TV Times via Getty Images)
Kate Fitzgerald portrayed the matriarch Doreen Corkhill on the soap. A dramatic exit storyline saw Doreen’s marriage dissolve and her abandon her children, but she later returned to find Billy had moved on with Sheila Grant.
Kate is also recognised for her role as Nancy Tinker in Coronation Street. In 2017, she reappeared on our screens playing Loretta on ITV’s Benidorm from 2017.
After Brookside, Kate also featured in The Bill, Casualty and Queer as Folk. Other notable works include ITV’s Cilla Black biopic and Peak Practice.
Rod Corkhill – Jason Hope
Actor Jason Hope in character as Rod Corkhill in television soap Brookside, circa 1985. (Photo by TV Times via Getty Images)(Image: Photo by TV Times via Getty Images)
From the 1980s, Rod Corkhill was portrayed by actor Jason Hope. Gaining the moniker Rod the Plod following his entry into the police force, his narrative also focused on his romance with Diana.
During his tenure on the programme, many will recall Jason switching on the Liverpool Christmas lights alongside co-stars Jenny Hesketh, Sunetra Sarker and Danny McCall.
However, following his departure from Brookside, Jason ventured into a different field. In 2001, reports emerged suggesting Jason had been employed as a hairdresser. During that period, he appeared on the ITV programme “After They Were Famous.”
Tracy Corkhill – Justine Kerrigan
Actress Justine Kerrigan in character as Tracy Corkhill in television soap Brookside, circa 1985(Image: Photo by TV Times via Getty Images)
Justine Kerrigan portrayed Tracy Corkhill and her stint on the programme was particularly distinctive.
Similar to the three-part series featuring Damon and Debbie, Tracy Corkhill and Jamie Henderson, portrayed by the late Sean McKee, also featured in their own ‘soap bubble. ‘.
Broadcasting in 1988, the mini-series, titled South, chronicled the pair attempting to forge a fresh start in London.
Following the soap’s conclusion, Justine has reconnected with her former colleagues over the years to reminisce about their Brookie era.
On social media, Justine’s Twitter, now X, profile states: “Ex brookie, proper foodie and dog lover. Most proudly NHS 25 years service.”
Jimmy Corkhill – Dean Sullivan
Actor Dean Sullivan in character as Jimmy Corkhill in television soap Brookside, circa 1988(Image: TV Times, TV Times/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Dean Sullivan, who played Jimmy Corkhill, joined the series in 1986 as Billy’s brother. He was involved in major storylines and remained on the show until its conclusion, making him the longest-featured character.
The ECHO previously reported that in 2008, Dean Sullivan had plans to purchase 13 houses on Brookside Close with the aim of reviving the show. In August 2011, he expressed his desire to return to the small screen as Jimmy Corkhill in another TV series, such as Corrie or EastEnders.
More recently, in 2019, he directed The Importance of being Earnest at the Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Liverpool. On 30 November 2023, it was announced that the Brookside legend had passed away following a brief illness, aged 68.
Lindsay Corkhill – Claire Sweeney
Westend musical star and former Brookside actress Claire Sweeney arrives at the British Soap Awards 2003 held at BBC Television Centre on May 10, 2003, London(Image: Photo by Steve Finn/Getty Images)
Claire Sweeney, who played Lindsay Corkhill, spent a decade in Brookside before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother and in the West End musical, Chicago. She has since appeared on TV shows including Strictly Come Dancing and Loose Women, while her theatre career continued to thrive.
Claire has starred in a UK tour of the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and co-wrote her own stage show Sex in the Suburbs in 2014, as well as Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 and hosting her own cabaret night at Proud Cabaret, the Embankment, London. Claire has also made appearances in Benidorm and the BBC comedy Scarborough.
In recent years, Claire has taken on roles such as Beverley Carnell in The Good Ship Murder and Cassie Plummer in ITV’s Coronation Street. She also showcased her ice-skating skills as a contestant on Dancing On Ice in 2024.
Diana Corkhill – Paula Frances
Paula Frances made her television debut in the 1990s as Diana Corkhill(Image: Channel 4/YouTube)
Paula Frances made her television debut in the 1990s as Diana Corkhill, the love interest of Rod Corkhill on Brookside. Now known as Paula Lamb, she later appeared in Doctors.
As reported by the ECHO in 2019, Paula continues to act and was rehearsing for a production of Desperate Scousewives at The Brindley theatre in Runcorn at the time. In addition to acting, Paula is a fitness instructor who runs bootcamps and boxing classes.
She was recognised as the North West Instructor of the year at the Community Fitness Awards, thanks to nominations from her class attendees.
After finding herself at a crossroads with two children and a desire for stability, Paula decided to pursue higher education. She studied health nutrition at Hope University.
Jackie Corkhill – Sue Jenkins
Brookside actors Sue Jenkins, Claire Sweeney and Dean Sullivan photographed at the BAFTA awards, circa 1999(Image: Photo by TV Times/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Sue Jenkins, previously known for her role as Gloria Todd in Coronation Street, joined the cast of Brookside as Jackie Corkhill in 1991. The character, Jimmy’s ex-wife, had been mentioned in the soap years before her arrival on the Close.
Since her departure from Brookside, Sue has remained active in the theatre and television world, featuring in popular shows such as Holby City, Merseybeat, Heartbeat, Dalziel and Pascoe, and Midsomer Murders. She’s also had roles in Casualty and Doctors, presented Loose Women in the noughties, and graced the stage in Liverpool-based productions.
Sue is wed to actor David Fleeshman, known for his role in Boys From The Blackstuff, and they share three children, including actor and singer Richard Fleeshman.
Her son Richard, 36, played Craig Harris in Coronation Street from 2002 to 2006. He has since appeared in Death In Paradise, The Ark, The Sandman and Call The Midwife – to name a few.
In 2023, Sue took centre stage in Cuckoo at the Royal Court Theatre in London, a dark comedy set in Merseyside, which later moved to the Everyman Theatre.
Little Jimmy Corkhill – George Christopher
Known by his stage name George Christopher, he portrayed Ziggy Greaves in Grange Hill (pictured) and Little Jimmy Corkhill in Brookside(Image: PA)
George Christopher, who shot to fame at just 15 years old, quickly became one of telly’s most beloved young actors. Known by his stage name George Christopher, he portrayed Ziggy Greaves in Grange Hill and Little Jimmy Corkhill in Brookside.
Now 51, George hails from West Derby and currently resides in Huyton. He’s appeared in various other productions, including a play about the Hillsborough disaster and, more recently, Sphere of Fear 2 and BBC’s Pointless Celebrities in 2020.
George has been with his partner, Mel, for over two decades and they have a son named Kirk.
He has also been candid about his mental health battles after being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at the age of 40. In a 2019 interview with The ECHO, he discussed his trauma and near-tragedy while promoting his book, ‘From Grange Hill To Bipolar and Back’.