{"id":439885,"date":"2025-09-21T02:07:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T02:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/439885\/"},"modified":"2025-09-21T02:07:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-21T02:07:14","slug":"brookside-legend-philip-olivier-admits-return-to-his-soap-roots-has-been-daunting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/439885\/","title":{"rendered":"Brookside legend Philip Olivier admits return to his soap roots has been ‘daunting’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scouse actor Philip Olivier, famous for playing Tinhead in the Channel 4, is back for the soap crossover with Hollyoaks<\/p>\n

18:12, 20 Sep 2025Updated 19:38, 20 Sep 2025<\/p>\n

\"PhilipPhilip Olivier on his big telly comeback and what’s in store for Tinhead(Image: Ken McKay\/ITV\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

Philip Olivier says slipping back into playing his much-loved Brookside<\/a> character \u00adTinhead felt amazing as the soap returns after 22 years.<\/p>\n

He is among a host of faces from the Channel 4<\/a> soap taking part in a special crossover episode with Hollyoaks to mark the show’s 30th anniversary<\/a>, including originals Sue Johnston<\/a> and Ricky Tomlinson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Philip, 45, says: \u201cIt was like the weirdest reunion you\u2019ve ever had. Everyone\u2019s aged. Everyone\u2019s 20 years older. But seeing everyone back in the same place\u2026 it was the strangest thing, but it was great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brookside started on the day Channel 4 launched \u2013 November 2, 1982 \u2013 and went off air 21 years later on November 4, 2003. Filmed in a cul-de-sac on a new-build estate in Liverpool, it was the brainchild of Sir Phil Redmond, who also created Hollyoaks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Anna Friel’s stalker slapped with 15-year restraining order after terrifying ordeal<\/a>READ MORE: Hollyoaks star teases ‘spectacular’ 30th anniversary twist and Brookside crossover<\/a>\"PhilipPhilip and Suzanne Collins on set in Liverpool for the return of Brookside(Image: Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n

Philip adds: \u201cIt was amazing to work with Sue Johnston, who I\u2019ve never worked with before. And Paul Usher and Ricky Tomlinson. For me, they were the big dogs<\/a> of the old show. It was a tick off the bucket list to finally work with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Brookie ended, the houses were eventually turned back into family homes \u2013 and the one-off special, which airs on October 22, has been filmed there. Philip, returning as lovable rogue Tim O\u2019Leary, says the location gave him \u201ca weird<\/a> case of deja vu\u201d.<\/p>\n

Philip joined the show at 15, playing a bully who changed his ways when his actions nearly killed his sister. By his final episodes he was a limo driver \u2013 and involved in the killing of a drug dealer. He says of stepping back into the role: \u201cIt\u2019s been daunting \u2013 but it\u2019s dead easy getting back into being Tinhead. I just play myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BrookieBrookie favourites Philip and Jennifer Ellison as Tinhead and Emily in 2000(Image: Channel 4)\"PhilipPhilip Olivier is returning to Brookside after more than 20 years for the special episode(Image: Getty Images for the NTA’s)<\/p>\n

Since leaving Brookside, the dad of five has had a string of roles, including in Doctors, Benidorm and a late-night Hollyoaks spin-off. He also featured in reality shows Four in a Bed<\/a>, Come Dine with Me and The Games \u2013 but now focuses on his business ventures, including his own sightseeing venture, Liverpool City Sights.<\/p>\n

But he says he is particularly excited for his kids to see him on telly. He explains: \u201cThere\u2019s nothing on the back of this, I\u2019ve actually taken a different career path. I have a few businesses, I\u2019m in board meetings all the time and never on set.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was good to exercise the acting muscles again. The last thing my kids saw was a pantomime I did about six years ago. It\u2019ll be nice \u2013 the eldest is 10 now. They\u2019re going to be glued to the screen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MichaelMichael Starke, who plays Sinbad, will also be back for the crossover (Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n

Next month’s crossover episode will honour Sir Phil Redmond, who created Brookside and Hollyaoks. He said: “Who knows what might pop up if someone re-lays their patio? I know we left something down there?”<\/p>\n

It will be the first time that Brookside Close has featured on air since the soap ended with Jimmy Corkhill (Dean Sullivan) daubing a ‘d’ on the road sign, to read Brookside Closed before driving out of the cul-de-sac in November 2003.<\/p>\n

Executive producer Hannah Cheers said: “This special feels like a moving and fitting tribute? and a chance for fans to revisit much-loved Brookside.”<\/p>\n

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