Brookside cast members gather for funeral of Jimmy Corkhill actor Dean Sullivan

The cast of Brookside have come together to remember their former co-star Dean Sullivan at his funeral. The actor, best known for playing Jimmy Corkhill in the Merseyside TV soap, died last month aged 68.

Among those who attended the service at Liverpool Parish Church on Tuesday were Sue Johnston, Michael Starke and Louis Emerick. Also present were Sue Jenkins, who played his on-screen wife Jackie Corkhill, and Claire Sweeney, who portrayed their daughter Lindsey Corkhill.

Sullivan's Schnauzer dog, Billy, was also there. Phil Redmond, the creator of Brookside, and Paul Burrell, former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, attended the service too.

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The coffin arrived at the church in a horse-drawn carriage with a floral tribute reading "Deano".

Donations in the actor's memory were asked to be made to Prostate Cancer UK.

Sullivan had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018 and spoke about his treatment and diagnosis to the Mirror in 2019.

A statement from Hamilton Management and Sullivan's family shared last month said: "It is with deep sadness we must tell you that actor Dean Sullivan passed away on November 29, 2023 peacefully following a short illness."

"Dean is best remembered as the longest serving cast member of Channel 4's groundbreaking Brookside playing the role of Jimmy Corkhill, making Dean a British Soap icon." "To millions he was and very much still is remembered as Jimmy, to family and friends he was Dino."

Brookside launched in November 1982, featuring real homes from