The iconic soap will return to our screens more than 20 years after it last airedDan Haygarth Liverpool Daily Post Editor and Regeneration Reporter
05:00, 16 Aug 2025
The street sign at Brookside Close(Image: Channel 4)
Iconic Liverpool soap Brookside will return to screens later this year. The show, which was Channel 4’s first soap and ran from 1982 to 2003, will make a comeback as part of a crossover episode with its successor Hollyoaks to celebrate the latter’s 30th anniversary.
The episode will air in October and will honour Brookside and its Huyton-born creator Sir Phil Redmond, who is also known for writing Grange Hill. Filmed and set on Brookside Close in West Derby, Brookside was pioneering and tackled important social issues in the community in which it was based.
Hollyoaks, which began in 1995, took over as Channel 4’s flagship continuing drama when the Liverpool-based soap ended on November 4, 2003. It started filming on part of the former set of Brookside, where it is still shot today, originally with just nine characters.
The crossover episode will see the return of iconic Brookside characters to mark the milestone. It will look at where they are now, more than 20 years on.
Filming will take place in September with exceptional permission granted by the owner of the close and the Liverpool Film Office, as the former set and production offices, the unadopted road in West Derby, is now home to residents.
Residents have been invited to share lunch with the cast and the crew from Lime Pictures.
It will be the first time that Brookside Close has been on air since it ended with Jimmy Corkhill (played by the late Dean Sullivan) daubing a ‘d’ onto the sign, leaving it as ‘Brookside Closed’ before driving out of the cul-de-sac.
Executive producer Hannah Cheers said: “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.
Sue Johnston (Sheila Grant) Shelagh O’Hara (Karen Grant), Simon O’Brien (Damon Grant), Ricky Tomlinson (Robert Grant) and Paul Usher (Barry Grant) in 1982(Image: Mirrorpix)
“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.
“These iconic Brookside characters are soap archetypes that helped define British TV; soap archetypes that new generations are still discovering now through Hollyoaks.
“As a lifelong soap fan who grew up watching with my mum, I was passionate about revisiting Brookside for the anniversary. With Sir Phil’s blessing — after I had the privilege of pitching the idea to him — and the support of Channel 4, we’re able to make it happen.
“Writer Steve Hughes, who began his career on Brookside, has reimagined where these characters are more than twenty years on. We hope audiences will enjoy welcoming these old friends back into their homes once again.”
Sir Phil Redmond said: “It is always bitter sweet 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.
“But it is great that Lime Pictures are paying homage in their Hollyoaks anniversary cross over episodes. I can’t wait to see how all the gardens are coping in the heatwave and, who knows, what might pop up if someone decides to re-lay their patio. I know we left something else down there.”