Dean Sullivan's funeral sees Brookside stars paying last respects to soap icon
Brookside legend Dean Sullivan was laid to rest in Liverpool, with his famous friends paying respects.
The Liverpudlian who was known to many for playing Jimmy Corkhill on the soap opera set in Merseyside died aged 68 last month following a short illness. Just weeks after his death, friends and family gathered at Liverpool Parish Church (Our Lady And St Nicholas) in the city centre to pay their last respects to him.
Following the service, a private cremation will be held with just his nearest and dearest in attendance. Prior to his death, Dean moved away from Liverpool and spent many years living in New Brighton, on the Wirral with his loved ones. But as friends and family gathered to celebrate his life, Dean's beloved dog was also escorted into the church by a male in order to say goodbye one last time.
A picture was displayed at the entrance of the church ahead of Dean's funeral (PA)His coffin, which arrived in a black horse-drawn carriage was surrounded by flowers, with one reading 'Deano' as the funeral procession made its way to the church. Fans and mourners had gathered outside the church as his loved ones carried his coffin in, while some walked behind the late actor on one of his final journeys.
As mourners arrived at the church which is located opposite the historic Royal Liver Buildings, they were greeted by a photo display, showing several photographs of the late actor throughout his life.
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Vince Earl, who played Ron Dixon was one of the first mourners to arrive at the church, closely followed by Paul Burrell. Elsewhere, Suzanne Collins who played Nikki Shadwick stepped out wearing a pair of oversized sunglasses as she arrived before hugging her former co-star Michael Starke.
Dean's coffin arrived at the church with his loved ones close behind (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)Sue Jenkins, who played Jackie Corkhill, his on-screen wife put on a sombre display as she walked into the church in a black jacket, a cream turtleneck sweater and pink lipstick. Sue Johnston, who shot to fame as Sheila Grant in the soap before taking on the role of Barbara Royle in The Royle Family chose to wear a large green coat and matching bag as she made her way to the church.
Before entering, Sue made sure to stop to greet Dean's dog and offered his four-legged friend some comfort. Dean's on-screen daughter, Claire Sweeney returned to her hometown for the heartbreaking occasion as she wore a navy blue jumpsuit and a pair of black boots while wrapping up in a black coat. Despite the show ending two decades ago, Claire, 52, remained close to Dean and often saw him at events.
His coffin was surrounded by floral displays (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)It appeared that Dean may have decided to switch from a traditional funeral, which sees mourners wearing black. Many of those attending arrived in brightly coloured clothing, including one mourner who wore a bright orange coat as the procession entered the place of worship.
Brookside star Diane Burke opted to wear a black and grey leopard print scarf. Inside the golden-decorated church, a picture of Dean sat on the altar below his coffin as the Priest delivered the emotional service. Elsewhere, Alex Fletcher chose to wear grey military-style boots and a brown scarf as she greeted her former co-stars at the entrance before the service.
Sue Johnston consoled fellow mourners as they awaited for the cortege to arrive (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)Hours before his funeral, Suzanne took to X to share a string of snaps of herself and Dean, who was affectionally known as Dino. She wrote: "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."
Suzanne Collins was one of many Brookside stars who attended the funeral (PA)
Sue Jenkins looked elegant yet sombre as she arrived (PA)Meanwhile, Louis Emerick penned: "#DeanSullivan: today we say goodbye to our colleague, friend, a wonderful actor...known affectionately to millions as #JimmyCorkhill."
Announcing his death, his management said in a statement: "It is with deep sadness we must tell you that actor Dean Sullivan passed away on November 29, 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'.
A picture of Dean was displayed on the altar of the church (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)"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."
After his tragic death, his on-screen relatives including Claire who played his daughter Lindsey Corkhill shared a snap of the pair, alongside his on-screen wife, Sue at the British Soap Awards in 2023, writing: "I will miss you Dean, Love you. It was wonderful to be reunited together as a family this year for the Soap Awards. RIP Dean Sullivan."
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Claire Sweeney arrived to bid farewell to Dean (PA)
Dean's beloved dog was escorted into the church (PA)Taking to Twitter, Sue penned: "It's honestly hard to find words to express my sadness at the loss of Dean. What a time we had as Jimmy & Jackie. A consummate professional, superb, much-loved actor, a sweet, funny, kind human being I feel privileged to have to been with him yesterday. Rest in peace."
Meanwhile, Jennifer Ellison penned: "Dean you were the King of Brookside. I have so many wonderful memories shared both on screen and off with you. You always had time for me, even as a child actor brand new to the soap. Thank you for being so wonderful, a true legend. I will cherish all the years spent together. Jen x," alongside a heart.
Vince Earl (centre) was one of the first mourners (PA)Several years before his death, Dean announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018 and just last year was discharged by his consultant following a course of radiotherapy. A funeral notice was placed in the Liverpool Echo by his family, inviting people to donate to Prostate Cancer UK. He urged people to 'listen to their bodies' as he explained what his early symptoms felt like.
Explaining that he'd 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." However, there is no indication that this is linked to his death.
The funeral took place in Liverpool City Centre (PA)Dean first joined the show in 1986 and appeared on screen until its final episode in 2003, with his face being the last thing viewers saw on the soap. At the height of the programme, eight million viewers tuned in to witness Jimmy and Eddy Banks find the body of Trevor Jordache under the patio.
Although the show was taken off air two decades ago, Dean had wanted to revive the soap and reprise his role as Jimmy. Speaking to Metro, he said he believed the show would still work in today's society. Dean said: "I think it could work even more so these days because one of the big initial storylines, the Grants were a true working-class family," before adding that he and Phil Redmond, the creator, had discussed the possibility.
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