Channel 4's Brookside Returns in Hollyoaks Crossover for 30th Anniversary

Channel 4's iconic soap Brookside is making a special one-off return in a crossover episode with Hollyoaks to celebrate Hollyoaks' 30th anniversary. The episode, airing on October 22 on E4, features the return of beloved Brookside characters such as Sheila Grant, Bobby Grant, and Billy Corkhill, and is set on the original Brookside Close for the first time since the show ended in 2003. Hollyoaks executive producer Hannah Cheers described the episode as a "love letter" to both shows, emphasizing their shared Liverpool roots and ethos of tackling groundbreaking social issues with a disruptive, cutting-edge approach. The crossover highlights the legacy of creator Sir Phil Redmond and aims to attract both Brookside fans and new Hollyoaks viewers by celebrating the cultural impact of these Liverpool-based dramas. Actress Tina Malone, who starred in Brookside, praised the crossover for bringing nostalgia and tradition back to television, appreciating how both soaps have historically pushed boundaries with their storytelling. The event also includes a special episode of Hollyoaks Later and a jam-packed 30th anniversary storyline involving key characters' dramatic moments, further enhancing the celebratory mood.