Ricky Tomlinson to return to Brookside as Bobby and Sheila reunite on-screen after 37 years

Acting legend Ricky Tomlinson is set to reprise his role as Bobby Grant in the upcoming Brookside/Hollyoaks crossover episode.

The special edition, which will air next month, will see the iconic Channel 4 soap briefly revived to celebrate it’s sister show’s 30th anniversary.

Brookie hasn’t been on our screens since 2003, but is still fondly remembered for its groundbreaking stories that set it aside from competitors.

Hollyoaks Executive Producer Hannah Cheers said in a statement: ‘This episode is a love letter to both Hollyoaks and Brookside.

‘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.’

There have already been several names revealed to be reprising their roles in the upcoming spin-off, including Sue Johnston, who played Sheila Grant, on-screen second husband Billy Corkhill (actor Jon McArdle), and Paul Usher as dastardly villain Barry Grant.

And now Sue, 81 will reunite with her on-screen hubby Ricky, 85, when he steps into Bobby’s shoes for the first time in 37 years.

Speaking of his comeback, Ricky said: ‘It will be lovely to take part in Brookside again especially to work alongside Sue Johnston.

‘I’m looking forward to being on the Close again after all these years.’

Bobby and Sheila’s Brookside highlights

The iconic couple first appeared on our screens in Brookie’s first ever episode, which aired on Channel 4’s launch day in November 1982.

Bobby and Sheila were at the centre of several huge storylines over the years.

One of their most notable came in 1986, when she was attacked, raped, and beaten by an unknown assailant after getting out of a taxi.

Many residents were suspected, but the attacker was ultimately revealed to be the taxi driver.

Their relationship became strained during the ordeal, with Bobby feeling increasingly alienated by his wife’s decision to reconnect with her Catholic faith.

In special episodes filmed in Rome and The Vatican, they decided to work out their problems and look ahead to the future.

Unfortunately, their marriage contained to be tested following the murder of their son Damon (Simon O’Brien), and Bobby hit a downward spiral. He began to drink heavily, and lost his driving license.

When Sheila went on a night out – something he was firmly against – he slapped her, and it became apparent to viewers that the end was fast approaching.

Bobby left the show in 1988, and Sheila departed two years later.

That wasn’t the last time that Ricky and Sue would work together, as they once again played a married couple in Caroline Aherne sitcom The Royle Family for over a decade from 1998.

How did Brookside end?

Fans tuning in next month might be a little bit baffled by the fact Brookside Close is still standing.

The show was filmed on a real housing estate in Liverpool’s West Derby, with a number of houses purchased during construction by creator Phil Redmond’s production company Mersey Television.

During a brief period in the early 2000s, the properties were given a makeover for use within Hollyoaks, but the site soon became derelict.

A developer later purchased the homes and made them liveable – adding plumbing, replacing false walls with real counterparts and turning old edit suites and canteens into proper homes.

The real life residents have allowed filming crews to descend on the estate for the special occasion, with shooting taking place yesterday.

But in Brookie’s storylines, everyone moved out in the final episode, with an incineration company compulsorily purchasing the land to build on.

Show legend Jimmy Corkhill, played by the late Dean Sullivan, flooded each house and sprawled graffiti reading ‘GAME OVER’ on the boarded up windows and doors.

Before leaving forever, he added a ‘D’ onto the end of the infamous Brookside Close sign, therefore declaring the end of an era.

But how will they explain the fact the cul de sac wasn’t demoed? And how about the sudden influx of former locals living there again?

I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!