Brookside Legends John McArdle and Paul Usher return for soap-crossover

Two more familiar faces from Brookside have been confirmed for this autumn’s special crossover marking Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary. John McArdle and Paul Usher will reprise their iconic roles as Billy Corkhill and Barry Grant, as Brookside Close returns to screens for the first time since the soap ended in 2003.

McArdle’s character Billy Corkhill became a household name in the 1980s, moving into the Close with his wife Doreen and their teenage children, Rod and Tracy. Billy was portrayed as a devoted family man whose struggles with unemployment highlighted men’s mental health, leading to a breakdown that fractured his marriage. Later, Billy found happiness with Sheila Grant (Sue Johnston, OBE), marrying her in 1990. As part of the crossover, Billy will also step into the world of Hollyoaks, making appearances in the village.

Billy’s brother Jimmy, played by the late Dean Sullivan, became the longest-serving Brookside character, with the show’s final moments in 2003 famously ending with Jimmy altering the sign to read “Brookside Closed.”

Usher’s return as Barry Grant will also delight long-time fans. The eldest child of the Grant family, Barry grew from cheeky youngster to charismatic businessman — and one of soap’s most notorious villains. His criminal exploits and dramatic storylines, including the infamous 1991 murder of Sue and her son Danny, made him one of Brookside’s most talked-about characters.

With Sue Johnston already confirmed to reprise her role as Sheila Grant, viewers will get the chance to see where these much-loved characters are now, decades after leaving the Close.

Of his return John said:

“It’s going to be a nostalgic visit back to the famous close. Also I’ve got to try and find the character of Billy Corkhill again as I haven’t played him for 35 years!”

Paul added:

“I’m looking forward to seeing all of the old faces.”

Filming has begun for the anticipated crossover, which will air in October, to celebrate Hollyoaks’ 30^th anniversary and the legacy of both show’s creator, Sir Phil Redmond.

Filming will take place in September with exceptional permission granted by the owner of the close and the Liverpool Film Office – as the former set and production offices, as the unadopted road in West Derby is now home to residents.

Executive Producer Hannah Cheers said of the crossover:

“This episode is a love letter to both Hollyoaks and Brookside.

“Brookside gave birth to Hollyoaks — it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets.

“For everyone at Lime Pictures (originally Mersey TV), Hollyoaks’ history is deeply rooted in Brookside, and its legacy lives on through our crew and, of course, some of our cast.

“This special feels like both a moving and fitting tribute to our origin story and a chance for fans to revisit much-loved Brookside characters in honour of that legacy.

“These iconic Brookside characters are soap archetypes that helped define British TV; soap archetypes that new generations are still discovering now through Hollyoaks.

As a lifelong soap fan who grew up watching with my mum, I was passionate about revisiting Brookside for the anniversary. With Sir Phil’s blessing — after I had the privilege of pitching the idea to him — and the support of Channel 4, we’re able to make it happen.

“Writer Steve Hughes, who began his career on Brookside, has reimagined where these characters are more than twenty years on. We hope audiences will enjoy welcoming these old friends back into their homes once again.”

Sir Phil said:

“It is always bitter sweet thinking back to Brookie, the reminders of its success and impact, but the thoughts of many, like Dean Sullivan and Bill Dean, who are no longer with us.

“But it is great that Lime Pictures are paying homage in their Hollyoaks anniversary cross over episodes.

“I can’t wait to see how all the gardens are coping in the heatwave and, who knows, what might pop up if someone decides to re-lay their patio. I know we left something else down there.”

Brookside episodes are available from the start on STV player, after they were digitally restored in a joint project between Lime Pictures and All3Media International.