Liverpool-born actors Philip Olivier and Suzanne Collins are set to reprise their iconic Brookside roles in the highly anticipated crossover this autumn, marking the 30th anniversary of Hollyoaks.
Philip first appeared on Brookside in 1996 as Tim “Tinhead” O’Leary, a troubled teenager at Brookside Comprehensive. The O’Leary family, with parents Carmel and Tommy and siblings Ben and Melanie, was central to the soap during the late 1990s.
Tim’s journey saw him form an unlikely but life-changing bond with Sinbad (Michael Starke), who became a guiding influence after Tim’s reckless behaviour nearly cost his sister Melanie her life. His storyline took further dramatic turns when he fell in love with Emily Shadwick, sister of Nikki Shadwick. The pair married in 2001, but tragedy struck when Emily’s involvement in crime ultimately led to her death during a botched robbery in 2002.
Suzanne Collins played Nikki Shadwick from 1998 until Brookside’s final episode in 2003. A much-loved character, Nikki considered Jimmy Corkhill (the late Dean Sullivan) a father figure. Collins shared one of the soap’s very last scenes with him, cementing her place in the show’s history.
Talking about her Brookside return, Suzanne said:
“I’m so honoured and privileged to be part of this special episode and to play Nikki again. It was life changing getting cast in this role all those years ago, and I’m eternally grateful.
“I’ve been lucky to work for nearly 30 years, all over the world with wonderful people, but nothing comes close to my Brookside family, many I still see and work with and who have become like real family. I feel like I’m going home. It will be emotional without our darling Dean, but I think he will be looking down, beaming with pride and smiling down on us.
“I think it’s wonderful what Hollyoaks are doing, such a fitting tribute, and a heartfelt thank you to Phil Redmond, Our Boss, whose genius vision changed all our lives and to whom we are all eternally grateful.”
On his return Philip said:
“It was a delight and surprise to be asked to join this special episode for Hollyoaks’ anniversary.
“When I was first cast in Brookside aged fifteen, I would never have thought that 30 years on, people would still be calling me ’Tinhead’!
“I remember my time on Brookside with great affection and will relish returning to ’the close’.
Due to air in October, filming has begun for the anticipated crossover to celebrate Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary and the legacy of both shows’ creator, Sir Phil Redmond.
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