Dean Sullivan, beloved Brookside star, dies aged 68 after short illness
‘Jimmy’ of Brookside passes peacefully
Dean Sullivan, best known as ‘Jimmy Corkhill’ from Channel 4’s iconic soap Brookside, has died peacefully following a short illness. His agent confirmed the sad news on Wednesday.
“To millions he was and still is remembered as ‘Jimmy’. To family and friends he was ‘Dino’,” said a statement from Hamilton Management and his family. They thanked Arrowe Park Hospital for their care and asked fans to respect their privacy during this difficult time.
From school teacher to soap legend
Born on 7 June 1955, Dean started out as a primary school teacher after earning a B.Ed. (Hons) from Lancaster University. But his true passion was acting.
He honed his craft with Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre (then Neptune Theatre), starring in plays like Willy Russell’s Breezeblock Park and Phil Redmond’s Soaplights. His big break came in February 1986, when he landed the role of Jimmy Corkhill in Brookside.
Dean was a staple on the show until its final episode in November 2003. His complex portrayal won him the British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2003 – cementing him as one of soap’s greats.
Life beyond Brookside
Off screen, Dean showed his creative flair by running “murder weekends” via his company The Murder Game. He also appeared on TV favourites like Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank and the sitcom Terry Across the Mersey.
He hosted a daily show on City Talk 105.9 until 2009 and was active in community causes, including a protest against violence in Liverpool organised by charity Term Time.
Brave battle with cancer and enduring legacy
In August 2023, Dean revealed he’d quietly battled prostate cancer since 2018. Despite this, he remained spirited, even attempting to buy Brookside Close to revive the beloved street and its characters.
Dean Sullivan’s passion and talent left a lasting mark on British TV. His dedication to acting and important social causes ensures he’ll be remembered for years to come.
