Brookside star Dean Sullivan has passed away aged 68. The actor was best known for his role as Jimmy Corkhill, playing the character from 1986 to 2003.
He was only meant to appear in six episodes, however went on to become the longest-serving member of the iconic Channel 4 show. Dean’s agent revealed he passed away peacefully following a short illness.
The statement said: “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.”
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In 2003, Dean won the British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement for his role as Jimmy. After Brookside ended, he starred in sitcom Terry Across The Mersey a presented a daily radio show until May 2009.
(Image: No Name)
He expressed interest in reviving the show again 2011, or to join other soaps as his iconic character. He also appeared in ITV shows The Royal and Crime Stories as well as BBC’s Doctors.
His most recent role came in 2022 in the Netflix short film Wings. In 2018, Dean was diagnosed with prostate cancer but had been given the all-clear.
(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
At the time, the only symptom of prostate cancer he had was reduced flow. After a doctor told him to keep an eye on it, he knew something wasn’t right and got a second opinion from another doctor.
He said: “If I’d have listened to the first doctor, it might have been a different story so always trust your gut, 11 times out of 10, you’re right, we’ve still got that fight or flight instinct.” The early detection of his cancer meant his radiotherapy treatment was successful.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
In August, the Liverpool born star looked back on his battle with the disease, admitting how he just wanted to continue with life as normal after his diagnosis. 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.”
(Image: Press Association)
Dean was set to appear in a Southport production of Jack And The Beanstalk from December 7, but was forced to pull out on November 17 due to “unforeseen circumstances.” The Atkinson Theatre, where he was expected to transform into baddie Fleshcreep, confirmed his departure 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.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
