Two Brookside legends confirmed to reprise beloved roles for special Hollyoaks crossover episode

by

Actor John McArdle and Paul Usher will once again take on their characters as they prepare to return to the iconic TV soap Brookside, slated to make its comeback before the end of this year.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the beloved series “Hollyoaks,” there will be a unique, standalone crossover episode airing on Channel 4 in October.

McArdle returns as Billy Corkhill while Usher will be back as Barry Grant in the revival.

In addition to Sue Johnston, it has been announced that she will once again take on the character of Sheila Grant (later known as Corkhill), a role she played before.

McArdle, who portrays Sheila’s on-screen spouse, expressed his excitement about coming back by saying, “I’m looking forward to a nostalgic revisit to the well-known set. Plus, it’ll be a challenge to once again embody the character of Billy Corkhill, as it’s been 35 years since I last played him!

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

For a span of five years, McArdle portrayed Billy in Brookside. Later on, in 1990, he bid farewell to the soap opera, exiting simultaneously with Sheila’s character in the very same episode.

Back in 1982 when the soap first aired, Usher’s character, Barry, was among the initial cast members. The actor intermittently made appearances throughout the series until its conclusion in 2003.

Earlier in August, the merger was revealed, and executive producer Hannah Cheers described it as a heartfelt tribute to both Hollyoaks and Brookside.

I excitedly shared: “Brookside paved the way for Hollyoaks; it started life on the very same lot, and with time, it gradually overtook its stages.

As a devoted cinephile penning my thoughts post-viewing, I must acknowledge the undeniable influence of Brookside on Lime Pictures’ longstanding saga, Hollyoaks. The DNA of that pioneering series permeates through our dedicated crew and, most certainly, some of our esteemed cast members as well.

As a devoted cinephile, I found myself utterly captivated by this extraordinary special, which served as an emotional and fitting homage to the heartwarming tale of our inception. It also offered diehard fans the enchanting opportunity to reminisce about their beloved Brookside personalities, paying tribute to the enduring legacy they have left us.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at how these iconic characters from Brookside have left an indelible mark on the world of television. They embodied soap opera archetypes that not only shaped British TV but continue to resonate with new generations today, who are still discovering them through the lens of Hollyoaks.

Read More

2025-08-29 15:04