Dean Sullivan, best known as Brookside’s loveable rogue Jimmy Corkhill, died last month (Picture: Shutterstock)
Dean Sullivan’s Brookside co-stars have paid tribute to him on the day of his funeral.
The much-loved actor, who played Jimmy Corkhill in the long-running Channel 4 soap, died peacefully last month after a short illness.
‘To millions he was and very much still is remembered as ‘Jimmy’, to family and friends he was ‘Dino’, read a statement from Hamilton Management and his family.
‘Dean’s family wants to thank Arrowe Park Hospital for their unwavering and consistent support. We ask that you respect their privacy in their time of grief.’
Louis Emerick, who played Mick Johnson, took to social media on Tuesday (December 19), the day of Dean’s funeral, to tell his followers that today he’s saying goodbye.
‘Today we say goodbye to our colleague, friend , a wonderful actor…known affectionately to millions as #JimmyCorkhill,’ he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Fans were quick to comment, with user Dom Silva writing: ‘RIP to a wonderful actor. I bet he will have the most amazing send off. A celebration of his life and work. Will be thinking of everyone today x.’
Suzanne Collins, who played Nikki Shadwick in Brookside, also marked the emotional day with a heartfelt tweet and a number of throwback pictures of her and Dean.
‘Farewell to Liverpool legend Dean Sullivan, aka Brookside’s Jimmy Corkhill. Heartbroken to say goodbye to my best friend, Dino.
‘Immense pain, boundless love. May he soar with angels and rest in eternal peace. #DeanSullivan’
Dean landed the role of loveable rogue Jimmy Corkhill in 1986, four years after the soap kicked off, meaning that viewers will soon have the opportunity to relive his stint via the STV Player re-runs.
Jimmy Corkhill made his Brookside debut in 1986 and remained a firm fan-favourite until the show’s end in 2003 (Picture: REX)
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Jimmy swiftly became a household name, with his dodgy antics and iconic ways making him a favourite with viewers. The character appeared across almost two decades of TV, with Dean remaining with Brookie right to its very end when it was controversially axed in 2003.
For soap fans, Jimmy will remain in their hearts as one of the genre’s finest ever creations, with Dean’s work remembered for decades to come.
Brookside is available to stream on STV Player from the beginning, with five episodes added every Wednesday.
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Dean’s co-stars paid tribute on the day of his funeral.