Brookside to make shocking return after 22 years in Hollyoaks twist

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hol...urn-hollyoaks/

Axed Channel 4 soap Brookside is making a return, in a totally unexpected way.

As part of Hollyoaks' 30th anniversary celebration this year, there'll be a special episode crossing over with Brookie, as fans like to call it.

Running from 1982 to 2003, Brookside was the first soap created by Sir Phil Redmond (Grange Hill came first, but not technically counted as a soap) and laid the foundation for the kind of storytelling Hollyoaks would later adopt.

The special episode will be filming on location at what used to be Brookside Close in Liverpool, which is now a residential area. The locals will be invited to share lunch with the cast and crew while filming is taking place.

It's not just the location making an appearance, as some classic characters are set to make their return. We don't know who yet, but with filming set for September, it won't be too long before we find out.

"This episode is a love letter to both Hollyoaks and Brookside," said executive producer Hannah Cheers.

"Brookside gave birth to Hollyoaks ? it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets. For everyone at Lime Pictures (originally Mersey TV), Hollyoaks' history is deeply rooted in Brookside, and its legacy lives on through our crew and, of course, some of our cast.

"This special feels like both a moving and fitting tribute to our origin story and a chance for fans to revisit much-loved Brookside characters in honour of that legacy.

"These iconic Brookside characters are soap archetypes that helped define British TV; soap archetypes that new generations are still discovering now through Hollyoaks."

"As a lifelong soap fan who grew up watching with my mum, I was passionate about revisiting Brookside for the anniversary," she continued. "With Sir Phil's blessing ? after I had the privilege of pitching the idea to him ? and the support of Channel 4, we're able to make it happen.

"Writer Steve Hughes, who began his career on Brookside, has reimagined where these characters are more than twenty years on. We hope audiences will enjoy welcoming these old friends back into their homes once again."

Redmond added: "It is always bittersweet thinking back to Brookie, the reminders of its success and impact, but the thoughts of many, like Dean Sullivan and Bill Dean, who are no longer with us.

"But it is great that Lime Pictures are paying homage in their Hollyoaks anniversary crossover episodes.

"I can't wait to see how all the gardens are coping in the heatwave and, who knows, what might pop up if someone decides to re-lay their patio. I know we left something else down there..."

Brookside started to get added to the STV Player streaming service in 2023, right from the very beginning.

The reruns have set multiple records on the streamer, and it even added a Brookside spin-off at the start of this year.

These aren't the only two soaps set to cross over, as ITV's Coronation Street and Emmerdale will kick off the new 2026 schedule with a special episode of their own.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hol...aks-crossover/

The exciting Brookside news just keeps coming ? legendary character Sheila Grant will arrive back on our screens as part of the show's surprise return.

Royle Family star Sue Johnston has agreed to reprise her role as Sheila ? 35 years after the soap matriarch's original departure.

The acclaimed actor and national treasure is the first cast member confirmed for the upcoming Brookside and Hollyoaks crossover episode, which will hit screens in October.

As first announced last week, Hollyoaks bosses have decided to incorporate Brookside into the show's 30th anniversary celebrations.

A special storyline, exploring the two shows' shared universe, will be filmed on location on Brookside Close in Liverpool next month.

Speaking about the incredible news for the first time, Sue commented: "It'll be so lovely to go back and be Sheila for a day as it was such a big, enjoyable part of my life."

Sue played Sheila from Brookside's launch in 1982 and was central to the Channel 4 soap's gritty, groundbreaking storylines in the early years.

Sheila was part of the working-class Grant family, who moved into Brookside Close in the first episode.

Four years later, an important storyline explored the issue of rape as Sheila was attacked by a taxi driver. The plot explored the long-term impact on a survivor, including how Sheila's ordeal affected her marriage to Bobby, played by Ricky Tomlinson.

Sheila bowed out as a show regular in 1990, leaving the Close with second husband Billy Corkhill. She later made returns in Brookside video specials The Lost Weekend and Friday the 13th in 1997 and 1998 respectively.

Further returns will be announced in the coming weeks. Hollyoaks bosses have promised that the crossover episode will feature comebacks for "iconic, heritage Brookside characters as a treat for the audience and to mark the milestone of Hollyoaks' 30th anniversary".

Special permission has been granted for Hollyoaks to film on Brookside Close, the Liverpool cul-de-sac which was the focal point of all the drama for 21 years. Previously used exclusively for soap filming until Brookside ended in 2003, it's now home to real-life residents who live in the famous houses.

Hollyoaks' executive producer Hannah Cheers previously said: "Brookside gave birth to Hollyoaks ? it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets.

"For everyone at Lime Pictures (originally Mersey TV), Hollyoaks' history is deeply rooted in Brookside, and its legacy lives on through our crew and, of course, some of our cast.

"This special feels like both a moving and fitting tribute to our origin story and a chance for fans to revisit much-loved Brookside characters in honour of that legacy.

"These iconic Brookside characters are soap archetypes that helped define British TV ? soap archetypes that new generations are still discovering now through Hollyoaks.

"As a lifelong soap fan who grew up watching with my mum, I was passionate about revisiting Brookside for the anniversary.

"Writer Steve Hughes, who began his career on Brookside, has reimagined where these characters are more than 20 years on. We hope audiences will enjoy welcoming these old friends back into their homes once again."