Sue Johnston press shot
Sue Johnston is to return as her iconic Brookside character Sheila Grant after 35 years for the upcoming crossover with Hollyoaks.
With Hollyoaks celebrating a milestone 30 years on the air in October, the soap is staging a special crossover with its spiritual predecessor Brookside, which ended in 2003.
Several characters from the now-defunct soap will be back for the occasion, and now the first of those has been confirmed as acting royalty Johnston, who played Sheila Grant – later Sheila Corkhill – from 1982 to 1990.
During her time on Brookside, which made her a household name, Johnston won plaudits for her portrayal of the Liverpudlian matriarch, whose notable storylines included becoming a rape survivor, dealing with the murder of her son and the unexpected end of her marriage to Bobby (Ricky Tomlinson).
Speaking about her return, Johnston said: “It’ll be so lovely to go back and be Sheila for a day as it was such big, enjoyable part of my life.”
Details of other characters returning – including whether Sheila’s husband Billy Corkhill (John McArdle) will be back – are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.
The crossover, which will be for one episode only, is due to be filmed next month.
