Brookside's Dean Sullivan urged fans to 'listen to their bodies' before death
The late Brookside legend Dean Sullivan knew 'something wasn't right' with his body before tragic death.
The actor, 68, who is renowned for his role as loveable rogue Jimmy Corkill in the Channel 4 soap, has died with his friends and family paying tribute to the star in a statement. Dean's cause of death has not been confirmed but the actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018.
Dean was discharged by his consultant last year after a course of radiotherapy. However, he urged people to 'listen to their bodies' as he explained what his early symptoms felt like.
Explaining he noticed a change when urinating, he said: "The strength of my flow when I used to go to the loo to have a pee was reduced. The first time I went to the doctor's surgery he said, 'we'll just keep an eye on it and see how you go on'. It was a few weeks later, I just knew that wasn't right."
Brookside legend Dean Sullivan has issued a health update after admitting he knew 'something wasn't right' (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)Dean added: "When I went back I saw a doctor who specialised in prostate treatment. He gave me a quick examination and within two weeks I was at the hospital speaking to the consultant. 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," reports the Liverpool Echo.
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The soap legend believes early detection was key to his successful treatment and urged others to get checked out if they're displaying similar symptoms. Revealing his sister was diagnosed with breast cancer – who has now been given the all-clear – he said: "The message is get in there early and get checked out if you are 50 and over".
Dean became a household name in Brookside as the longest-serving cast member in the soap's history (Liverpool Echo)Dean, who has has been announced as the keynote speaker for Pause for Hope in Liverpool in support of people who have been affected by cancer, said he wants to use his speech to communicate a positive message. Saying he put himself in the "hands of fate" after his diagnosis, the actor explained he was "philosophical" and just tried to "keep positive and get on with his life".
The star became a household name in Brookside as the longest-serving cast member in the soap's history. He was initially only contracted to appear in six episodes as a recurring character but, due to his popularity, Dean was taken on full-time and remained for seventeen years.
When Brookside was cancelled in 2003 after viewing figures were said to be in 'terminal decline', the actor said he felt bereaved and it was like losing an old friend. However, there are rumours the hard-hitting soap may be making a comeback with Jennifer Ellison, who played Emily Shadwick, saying she'd jump at the chance to go back.
For more information or support about cancer, you can contact Macmillan Cancer Support or you can call 020 7940 1760 for advice.
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