Soap fans have been left ecstatic by the news that iconic 80s and 90s TV show Brookside is set to return.
The beloved soap aired on Channel 4 from 1982 until its cancellation in 2003, as a result of declining viewership.
During its run, it highlighted controversial subjects and went down in history for airing the first-ever pre-watershed lesbian kiss. At the height of its popularity, the show was Channel 4’s highest-rated programme.
Following Brookside’s cancellation, Hollyoaks became Channel 4’s leading soap, eventually taking over the sets.
Now, as Hollyoaks prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary 22 years after Brookside aired its last episode, it has announced a special crossover episode with the classic soap.
‘This episode is a love letter to both Hollyoaks and Brookside,’ Hollyoaks’ executive producer Hannah Cheers explained.
‘Brookside gave birth to Hollyoaks — it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets.
‘For everyone at Lime Pictures (originally Mersey TV), Hollyoaks’ history is deeply rooted in Brookside, and its legacy lives on through our crew and, of course, some of our cast.
‘This special feels like both a moving and fitting tribute to our origin story and a chance for fans to revisit much-loved Brookside characters in honour of that legacy.’
The news has left Metro readers absolutely thrilled, with many unable to contain their excitement.
‘OMG can’t wait,’ Vikki Evans Stubbs enthused, while Steve Higgs agreed the news was ‘brilliant’.
Karen Friery felt the same, adding, ‘Can’t wait!’, while Kathleen Taggart said: ‘Fantastic I loved brookside.’
Others couldn’t believe how long the show had been off our screens, with Juan Pabalo Grem saying: ‘No way it been 22 years away.’
There was a lot of nostalgia from our readers in the comments, as they reflected on how much they loved the soap.
‘Brookside was my favourite,’ Iris Meade recalled, while Mandy Fennings enthused that she ‘Loved it!’.
As Jan Brierley and Bev Long reflected on how they ‘loved Brookside’, Theresa Burston added: ‘The entire family loved Brookside.’
‘Best ever soap brilliant just brilliant!!’ Rach Chapman agreed, while Colleen Hughes said: ‘I loved Brookside. I never understood why it ended.’
The cancellation of Brookside remains controversial with soap fans. While the series had seen declining viewership since the mid-90s, fans blame increasingly ridiculous storylines for it getting the axe.
However, this hasn’t stopped fans from wishing for a more permanent return for the iconic soap.
‘Can’t wait for this, really hope this opens it for further specials down the line,’ John Lamacraft enthused.
Julie Taylor agreed, writing: ‘Brookside was my favourite soap! Please bring it back, loved the full on omnibus on Saturdays too.’
‘I know Hollyoaks used part of the same set after Brookside ended. I wonder if this could also be a test pilot to see if we might see more of Brookside…’ Andy Williams pondered.
‘It is always bittersweet thinking back to Brookie, the reminders of its success and impact, but the thoughts of many, like Dean Sullivan and Bill Dean, who are no longer with us,’ the show’s creator Sir Phillip Redmond said, and he wasn’t the only one thinking of the sadly departed stars.
‘Won’t be the same without the legend that is/was Jimmy Corkhill played by the late Dean Sullivan,’ Metro reader Rob Burdis said, while Anne Cox’s excitement was bittersweet as she admitted: ‘Oh my god that will be great trouble is many old characters have now passed away but look forward to it.’
Filming for the special crossover will take place in September with permission granted by the owner of Brookside Close and the Liverpool Film Office, as the former set in West Derby is now home to residents.
This special episode is being written by Hollyoaks’ Steve Hughes, who began his career on Brookside, and is intended to honour the soap and its creator, Sir Phil.
However, some fans wondered how the crossover, which will imagine where all our favourite residents of the Close have been since we last saw them, will deal with stars who appeared in both Brookside and Hollyoaks as different characters.
‘How will that work with Alex Fletcher who plays Diane in HO she was someone else in Brookside?’ Suzanne Gray questioned, while Victoria Holder added: ‘Id like to know, if Diane is the character in hollyoaks, how the hell she gonna play into brookside as she played a young girl Jacqui Dixon. Mind boggles.’
However the episode pans out, it is safe to say that Metro readers are certainly looking forward to it!
