Channel 4 Brookside Dean Sullivan's funeral takes place today as fans prepare to pay tribute

The Jimmy Corkhill actor will be laid to rest on Tuesday in his native home of Liverpool after the Channel 4 soap star sadly died last month at the age of 68.

The funeral for Brookside actor Dean Sullivan, who was loved by fans for his Jimmy Corkhill role, will take place later today on Tuesday in his hometown of Liverpool following the sad news of his death last month.

Fans of the Channel 4 soap were left gutted at the news that Dean Sullivan passed away on November 29 at the age of 68 following a short illness as his family released a statement on the star who they fondly called their 'Dino.'

The statement read at the time of his death: "It is with deep sadness we must tell you that actor Dean Sullivan passed away on 29th November 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'."

The late actor joined the Channel 4 soap back in 1986 and remained until the show's final episode in 2003 according to reports in the Mirror. Dean had the honour of starring in the final scene, with the show drawing audiences of eight million during its fame.

Dean, who also starred in BBC's Doctors and ITV's The Royal, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018 and was given the all-clear a year later following radiotherapy treatment.

Friends and famous faces paid tribute to Sullivan following his death, whilst Liverpool City Council described the news of his passing as "very sad", adding: "A passionate scouser and champion of our cultural scene, he’ll be greatly missed. Our sympathies to his family & friends."

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The Liverpool-based soap launched the careers of dozens of high-profile actors, including Amanda Burton, Claire Sweeney and Anna Friel.

Its last episode was filmed in September 2003 and aired in November the same year, with Jimmy Corkhill's face the last to fill the screen in an iconic moment many will recall.

Actor Dean said at the time: “I will miss it but I won’t miss my life being completely controlled by my answer machine. It’s rather like being released from prison.

“Last week I started growing my sideburns and I’ve never been able to do that before.”

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