Channel 4’s Brookside star leaves staggering amount in his will after dying last year aged 68

BROOKSIDE prima Dean Sullivan near a immense sum successful his volition aft helium died from cancer.

The Channel 4 fable – who starred arsenic Jimmy Corkhill successful the Liverpudlian soap – died successful November 2023 aged 68.

Probate documents seen by The Sun amusement helium bequeathed £660,000, including properties, slope accounts and royalties from re-runs of the show, to his sister Joy.

The will, signed disconnected lone a time earlier helium died, besides told of his privation to beryllium an organ donor – helping others successful request of life-saving transplants.

His full worthy was £757,000, but astir £100k was spent connected settling mortgages, paying lawyers and his ceremonial - attended by a twelve co-stars.

Sullivan was the longest-serving formed subordinate connected Brookside contempt lone signing up for a six-episode tally arsenic recurring quality Corkhill.

The amusement ran from 1982 arsenic 1 of Channel 4’s archetypal first productions to 2003, erstwhile it was axed aft a decennary of falling ratings.

His quality Jimmy battled a brutal cause and booze addiction during the show’s run, processing an obsession with cleaning, and selling his daughter’s toys for 10p each.

Sullivan attempted to acquisition the show's custom-built acceptable to revive it successful 2008, but it was yet sold to developers who transformed the street's homes into luxury detached properties.

He paired his tally connected the amusement with a drawstring of world TV ventures, including past year’s bid of BBC deed Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.

Several of the episodes aired aft his decease from prostate cancer, which helium had battled since 2018.

TV fable Les Dennis led tributes aft his death, writing: "So terribly bittersweet to perceive that beauteous Dean Sullivan has died.

"I did a abbreviated stint connected Brookside and helium welcomed maine with unfastened arms.

"A lovely, funny, charming man. He’s near america acold excessively soon.”

Dean's agent this morning revealed helium had died peacefully pursuing a abbreviated illness.

A connection read: "To millions helium was and precise overmuch inactive is remembered arsenic 'Jimmy', to household and friends helium was 'Dino'.

"Dean's household wants to convey Arrowe Park Hospital for their unwavering and accordant support.

"We inquire that you respect their privateness successful their clip of grief."

Dean had been owed to look successful a Southport accumulation of Jack And The Beanstalk from December 7 - but helium pulled retired connected November 17.

The Atkinson Theatre said: "There has been a alteration to the line-up for this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime.

"Dean Sullivan volition nary longer beryllium performing successful the relation of Fleshcreep, arsenic antecedently advertised and the relation volition present beryllium played by Mark Paterson."

After Brookside, Dean starred successful the sitcom Terry Across The Mersey and hosted a daily radio show.

In 2019, Dean revealed helium had battled prostate cancer but was later fixed the all-clear.

GRANGE HILL

Speaking to The Mirror astatine the time, helium said: "I retrieve being a bit shell shocked really, due to the fact that adjacent though we cognize these days that 1 successful 3 of america volition beryllium diagnosed with crab of immoderate sort, you ne'er deliberation it volition beryllium you."

Dean's origin of decease has not yet been confirmed.

In February 2023, Dean told Metro helium wasn't ruling retired a revival of Brookside, adding: "I deliberation it could enactment adjacent much truthful these days due to the fact that 1 of the large archetypal storylines, the Grants were a existent working-class family.

"I deliberation determination would beryllium a monolithic appetite for it."

Brookside, the brainchild of Grange Hill creator Phil Redmond, launched successful November 1982, with its houses situated successful a existent cul-de-sac - portion of a lodging property successful West Derby, Liverpool.

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

The past occurrence was filmed successful September 2003 and aired successful November of the aforesaid twelvemonth - and it was Jimmy Corkhill's look that past filled the screen.

Sullivan said astatine the time: "I volition miss it but I won't miss my beingness being wholly controlled by my reply machine. It's alternatively similar being released from prison.

"Last week I started increasing my sideburns and I've ne'er been capable to bash that before."

Sullivan was a two-time British Soap Awards winner and had roles successful different TV dramas, including BBC's Doctors and ITV's The Royal.

Screenwriter Jonathan Harvey hailed Dean Sullivan's Brookside quality arsenic "iconic" arsenic helium paid tribute.

Harvey, who is simply a writer for Coronation Street, wrote connected X, formerly known arsenic Twitter: "I bash emotion a soap icon, and they didn't travel much iconic than Jimmy Corkhill.

"What terribly sad news. Beloved histrion Dean Sullivan has passed away. My thoughts are with his galore friends and household xx"