'Brookside' star Dean Sullivan passes away at 68

Dean Sullivan, an acclaimed actor known for his role in the hit television series Brookside, passed away on Wednesday 29th November 2023 after a short illness. The news of his death came as a shock to his fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry, who remember him fondly for his contribution to British television. He was born on February 4, 1956, in Liverpool, England. Sullivan spent six years as a primary school teacher before landing his breakout role. He began his acting career in the late 1970s, making appearances in iconic shows such as Coronation Street and Doctor Who.

Discover our latest podcast

thumbnail — Dean Sullivan Jimmy Corkhill TV Times @Getty_Images

How he will be remembered

However, it was his portrayal of the infamous drug dealer Jimmy Corkhill in the long-running soap opera Brookside that brought him the widespread recognition that cemented his status as a household name. Sullivan played the character of Jimmy Corkhill for a remarkable 17 years, from early in the show's running in 1986 until its conclusion in 2003. His portrayal of the troubled and complicated character earned him a devoted following among the lifelong fans of the popular soap. It is by this means actors often become so well loved. Catherine Tate had a similar career progression and isbest loved for her portrayal of Donna Noble on Doctor Who. Apart from his successful stint on

Brookside, Dean Sullivan also appeared in numerous other television shows such as Coronation Street and The Doctors. He showcased his versatility as a performer by taking on diverse roles in theatre, comedies, and even a daily talk show. His commitment to his craft earned him the British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2003.

A private battle

In August 2023, Dean announced that he had been fighting a private battle with prostate cancer for the last five years. He describes his reaction on hearing the devastating diagnosis:

I remember being a bit shell-shocked really, because even though we know these days that one in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer of some sort, you never think it will be you.

Nevertheless, he resolved not to let it define him. As he put it: ‘I try to keep positive about things and I just got on with my life.’ Reflecting this courageous attitude, Shannen Doherty has continued to work when possible during her battle with breast cancer . He went to the doctor in 2018 as he had ‘reduced flow’ and thought it best to get checked out. As he wasn’t displaying any other major symptoms at the time, the doctor sent him away with the advice to ‘keep an eye on it.’ However, Dean just felt something wasn’t right and sought a second opinion a few weeks later. It turned out to be a wise decision. The actor offered these words of caution:

If I’d have listened to the first doctor it might have been a different story so always trust your gut, 11 times out of 10, you’re right, we've still got that fight or flight instinct.

Sullivan promptly received radiotherapy for his cancer because he didn't overlook the signs which increases chances of survival.

It is not known if this disease was his ultimate cause of death. His family have requested that their privacy be respected as they grieve their devastating loss. Reflecting the deep sense of loss felt by all those who knew him, his Brookside daughter Claire Sweeney posted a touching tribute: