Jennifer Ellison teases Brookside return 20 years after character was 'killed'

02 August 2023 , 19:37

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Jennifer Ellison teases Brookside return 20 years after character was 'killed'

Jennifer Ellison has revealed should Brookside ever return to television screens, she would jump at the chance to appear on the show again.

The Liverpudlian actress, 40, found fame on the programme which was formed in her home city between 1998 and 2003, playing Emily Shadwick. However, viewers last saw her character being "killed off" when she fell through a window during a robbery which went wrong.

Since then, the mum-of-three has gone on to maintain a career in the arts industry, having posed for some of the biggest lads mags as well as launching a pop music career. But two decades on from her last appearance on the now-decommissioned soap, Jennifer has hinted she would be open to a return as the original run of the programme is streamed on STV.

Jennifer Ellison has revealed her views on a Brookside revival (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, the actress said she would "love" to see the programme return. Anchor Kate Garraway quipped: "Brookside was my soap. My mum and dad didn't really watch soaps, but the Saturday Omnibus edition - I was all over that and so many people still are, aren't they? And want it to come back!"

Jennifer responded: "Yeah, so many people. I get stopped in the street constantly and of all the things I've done, it's Brookside that people always talk about." But her children aren't too familiar with her fame as she said: "My kids are like 'What's Brookside?' and I'm like 'It's a Liverpool Coronation Street!'" When asked if she'd ever return for a revival, Jennifer didn't hesitate.

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She said: "I think anyone who was involved in it... it holds such a special place in all our hearts, that I couldn't say no. I'd feel like I was cheating all the people who'd given me the start in this industry." The former Dancing On Ice contestant went on to say: "So yeah, I'd love to see it come back, it would be amazing. And there's so many people who would love to see it come back."

Jennifer's character Emily was "killed off" as she fell through a window (Mersey Television)

Meanwhile, Jennifer's former co-star Claire Sweeney recently claimed that the soap opera should never have been decommissioned by television bosses. While appearing on ITV's Lorraine, the host asked: "Now Brookside, there are so many unfinished stories, there and so many stories still to be told. Is it something maybe in the distance which might come back?"

Claire responded: "I don't think it should ever have been axed because it was so gritty. I don't know what happened, and it was a shame, such a shame. Hollyoaks kind of took over that place really and that got a lot more gritty."

Nowadays, Brookside lovers can get their hit of the show on STV Player with all episodes being available until January 31, 2024.

Daniel Bird