Two more Brookside icons have been officially confirmed for the upcoming Hollyoaks crossover episode.
Last month, it was announced that Channel 4 soap Brookside was set to return to our screens as part of Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary celebrations, with both soaps collaborating on a special one-off crossover episode.
It has been 22 years since Brookside last aired, but it is still fondly remembered by fans. At the height of its popularity, the show was Channel 4’s highest-rated programme and went down in UK pop culture history for featuring the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss to be shown on TV.
The 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 Redmond.
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 husband Billy Corkhill actor Jon McArdle, and Paul Usher as dastardly villain Barry Grant.
Now, actors Philip Olivier and Suzanne Collins are set to return to their roles as Tim ‘Tinhead’ O’Leary and Nikki Shadwick respectively.
Tim first appeared on our screens in 1996 as a troubled schoolboy – the son of Carmel and Tommy O’Leary.
He developed a complex bond with Sinbad, who became a positive influence. After causing a near-fatal accident that almost killed his sister Melanie, Tinhead began to turn his life around.
Though he found love with, and later married, Emily Shadwick – Nikki’s sister – it ended in tragedy when she drew him back into a life of crime and ended up losing her life in a robbery in 2002.
On his return Philip said: ‘It was a delight and surprise to be asked to join this special episode for Hollyoaks’ anniversary.
‘When I was first cast in Brookside aged fifteen, I would never have thought that 30 years on, people would still be calling me “Tinhead”!
‘I remember my time on Brookside with great affection and will relish returning to “the close”.’
Having first appeared in 1998, Nikki Shadwick was a mainstay on the show until its final episode in 2003.
She suffered a great deal of trauma in her life, including being drugged and raped at a party, only for her rapist to be found not guilty.
She also had to face the devastating deaths of her brother Jason and dad Greg.
‘I’m so honoured and privileged to be part of this special episode and to play Nikki again,’ Suzanne said of her return. ‘It was life-changing getting cast in this role all those years ago, and I’m eternally grateful.
‘I’ve been lucky to work for nearly 30 years, all over the world with wonderful people, but nothing comes close to my Brookside family, many I still see and work with and who have become like real family. I feel like I’m going home.’
Recalling her time working alongside the late Dean Sullivan, who played Jimmy Corkhill, with whom she shared one of her final scenes, Suzanne said: ‘It will be emotional without our darling Dean, but I think he will be looking down, beaming with pride and smiling down on us.’
She continued: ‘I think it’s wonderful what Hollyoaks are doing, such a fitting tribute, and a heartfelt thank you to Phil Redmond, our boss, whose genius vision changed all our lives and to whom we are all eternally grateful.’
Away from the soap, Philip has starred in a number of TV series, including Benidorm and Holby City. He even appeared as regular character Adam Tyler in late night spin-off Hollyoaks – In the City.
Meanwhile, Suzanne has also appeared in Hollyoaks as Anna, as well as Doctors and The Bill.
Earlier this year, she appeared in Coronation Street as a nursery nurse during Abi Webster’s (Sally Carman) PTSD storyline.
