Actor and director Dean Sullivan dies aged 68

Actor and director Dean Sullivan has died at the age of 68.

Sullivan – known for his role as Jimmy Corkhill in Channel 4’s Brookside – passed away peacefully following a short illness.

A statement from Hamilton Management and his family read:

“To millions he was and very much still is remembered as ‘Jimmy’, to family and friends he was ‘Dino’. 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.”

The actor made his first appearance as Jimmy in the soap in February 1986.

The troublesome brother of Billy Corkhill (John McArdle), Jimmy would become part of many of the major storylines in the cul-de-sac set saga and was the last character seen on the show when it ended in 2003.

The character memorably battled an addiction to heroin, placing a strain on his marriage to wife Jackie (Sue Jenkins). As a result of his driving while high, he killed Frank Rogers and Tony Dixon, the latter sparking a long-running feud with Tony’s father Ron.

He also famously discovered Trevor Jordache’s body under the patio of Number 10 with the help of Eddie Banks. The pair were investigating a foul odour being emitted from the drains on the close when they came across the remains of Jordache, who was stabbed to death by his wife Mandy for abusing her and their daughter Beth.

Later storylines focused on Jimmy’s mental health and his marriage breaking down due to a bipolar diagnosis.

Sullivan grew up in South Liverpool with five brothers and a sister. He graduated from Lancaster University and taught at a primary school before becoming an actor. In 2003, he was honoured with a Special Achievement Award at the British Soap Awards for his long-running portrayal of Jimmy.

As well as acting he also directed theatre productions and hosted a long-running radio programme in the North West.