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It’s the crossover no one saw coming, and one that fans have been dreaming about for years. After more than two decades off the air, Brookside is making an emotional return to British television tonight in a one-off crossover episode with Hollyoaks to mark the latter’s 30th anniversary.
The long-awaited return will see beloved Brookside legends, including Sue Johnston (Sheila Grant), Ricky Tomlinson (Bobby Grant), Michael Starke (Sinbad), and Philip Olivier (Tinhead), stepping back onto the iconic Brookside Close for the first time since the soap was axed in 2003.
Fans were treated to an early preview of the episode at a special screening held at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall, where stars from both soaps gathered to celebrate this landmark TV moment.
Johnston and Tomlinson are among the cast returning to their roles – Credit: Lime Pictures
Speaking at the event, Brookside creator Sir Phil Redmond didn’t hold back his feelings about the show’s controversial cancellation, calling Channel 4’s management at the time “philistines.”
“They needed a much more enlightened, visionary management at Channel Four,” Redmond said, reflecting on how the show’s fearless storytelling and working-class realism once set it apart from anything else on British TV.
Launched in 1982, Brookside became a defining drama of its era, breaking new ground with daring, issue-led storylines including domestic violence, drug abuse, and even the UK’s first pre-watershed lesbian kiss. It was famously filmed on a real cul-de-sac in Liverpool, and its unflinching realism inspired future soaps like Hollyoaks, which Redmond also created in 1995.
Now, for one night only, the two worlds collide.
In the special Hollyoaks episode, Louis Emerick, who has appeared in both series, plays a pivotal role in bringing the two shows together. His character Donny is seen urging Sinbad to stop running from his demons, a powerful nod to the character’s emotional journey over the years, before heading to Brookside Close.
Speaking about the experience, Emerick said:
“It was brilliant. And then when I saw Sue Johnston, I thought, ‘Yeah, it’s happening.’”
For fans, seeing the original Brookside cast return will be a nostalgic trip down memory lane, complete with familiar faces, Scouse wit, and the unmistakable backdrop of the Close that defined a generation of television.
The crossover not only celebrates Hollyoaks’ 30th birthday but also pays tribute to Brookside’s lasting legacy. The show paved the way for modern British soaps with its bold storytelling and refusal to shy away from controversial subjects.
Jorgie Porter, Jennifer Metcalfe and Chelsee Healey at the Hollyoaks 30th anniversary celebration – Credit:PA Wire
Rumours have already begun swirling that if tonight’s episode proves popular, there could be discussions about a full Brookside revival, especially as nostalgia-driven reboots continue to dominate streaming platforms.
At the screening, fans and cast alike were emotional watching the iconic theme tune play once more. Many praised Hollyoaks producers for honouring Brookside’s legacy, calling the crossover “a love letter to Liverpool television.”
Whether or not this marks the start of a full-scale comeback for Brookside, one thing is certain, the drama, emotion, and spirit of the Close are very much alive.
As Sir Phil Redmond put it, “Brookside was always about real people and real life. Maybe the time’s right for that again.”
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