![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_TV-Progs-Brookside.jpg\")
The street sign at Brookside Close(Image: Channel 4)<\/p>\nThe special will also pay tribute to the late Dean Sullivan<\/p>\n
17:10, 28 Aug 2025Updated 21:37, 28 Aug 2025<\/p>\n
The street sign at Brookside Close(Image: Channel 4)<\/p>\n
Two iconic Brookside actors are set to return to screens this autumn as part of a special crossover marking Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary. John McArdle and Paul Usher will reprise their roles as Billy Corkhill and Barry Grant when Brookside Close<\/a> is brought back to our television screens for the first time since the soap ended in 2003.<\/p>\n John\u2019s character Billy Corkhill <\/a>became a fan favourite in the 1980s after moving to the Close with wife Doreen and their teenage children. The storyline explored men\u2019s mental health through Billy\u2019s breakdown following unemployment, a narrative that strained his marriage and ultimately led to divorce.<\/p>\n Billy later remarried Sheila Grant, played by Sue Johnston <\/a>OBE, who has also been confirmed to return for the special.<\/a> As part of the anniversary episodes, Billy will also be seen visiting Hollyoaks village.<\/p>\n Paul Usher will once again play Barry Grant, one of Brookside\u2019s <\/a>most infamous figures.<\/p>\n Originally introduced as the eldest son of Bobby and Sheila Grant, Barry transformed from cheeky teen to feared gangster.<\/p>\n His chequered past included numerous crimes and one of the soap\u2019s most notorious storylines, the murder of Sue and Danny Sullivan in 1991.<\/p>\n Despite his villainous streak, Barry became one of Brookside\u2019s <\/a>most enduring and popular characters.<\/p>\n The crossover will also pay tribute to the late Dean Sullivan, who played Billy\u2019s brother Jimmy from 1986 until the show\u2019s closure.<\/p>\n Jimmy was the soap\u2019s longest-serving character, remembered for dramatically leaving the Close by altering the street sign to read \u201cBrookside Closed.\u201d<\/p>\n Filming for the anniversary special began this month, with scenes at the original West Derby<\/a> cul-de-sac given rare approval by local residents and the Liverpool Film Office.<\/p>\n The episodes will air in October.<\/p>\n Executive producer Hannah Cheers described the project as “a love letter” to both Hollyoaks and Brookside<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Actor](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_GettyImages-1326898686.jpg\")
Actor John McArdle in character as Billy Corkhill in television soap Brookside, circa 1989(Image: Photo by TV Times via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_JS357461322.jpg\")
Actor Paul Usher who plays Barry Grant phones the Fire Brigade after setting the shop on fire. 9th September 1992.(Image: Mirrorpix)<\/p>\n