BROOKSIDE legend Dean Sullivan was never supposed to have become a soap legend having only been cast in a brief role on the show.
Tributes are pouring in for the star who played drug dealer Jimmy Corkhill on the Channel 4 soap for 17 years, between 1986 and 2003.
He was the longest-serving cast member on Brookside – but Dean was originally only contracted to be in six episodes as recurring character Jimmy Corkhill.
The first episode Dean appeared in was called Personalising and aired on February 24, 1986.
But, as the character was so popular, Jimmy Corkhill was kept around and Dean's role was permanently extended, The Northern Echo reported just before the show ended in 2003.
Dean was involved with arguably the show's most iconic storyline, when Jimmy found Trevor Jordache's body under the patio with Eddie Banks.
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The 68-year-old's agent revealed on Thursday morning the actor had died peacefully following a short illness.
A statement released 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."
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Dean had been due to appear in a Southport production of Jack And The Beanstalk from December 7 – but he pulled out on November 17.
The Atkinson Theatre said: "There has been a change to the line-up for this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime.
"Dean Sullivan will no longer be performing in the role of Fleshcreep, as previously advertised and the role will now be played by Mark Paterson."
In 2019, Dean revealed he had battled prostate cancer but was later given the all-clear.
Speaking to The Mirror at the time, he said: "I remember being a bit shell shocked really, because even though we know these days that one in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer of some sort, you never think it will be you."
Dean's cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
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