Dean Sullivan’s Brookside co-star Sue Jenkins reveals she was with him on the day he died as she shares a moving tribute: ‘It’s hard to find words to express my sadness’

Dean Sullivan’s Brookside co-star Sue Jenkins has revealed she was with him on the day he tragically died at the age of 68.

The actress starred as drug dealer Jimmy’s long-suffering wife Jackie Corkhill on the soap, and sharing a moving tribute to the actor.

Dean died after a battle with prostate cancer, confirming in May he was living with the illness – five years after his original diagnosis.

Sue shared a selection of snaps from her friendship with Dean, including one alongside co-star Claire Sweeney.

She captioned the post: ‘It’s honestly hard to find words to express my sadness at the loss of Dean. What a time we had as Jimmy & Jackie.

Dean Sullivan’s Brookside co-star Sue Jenkins has revealed she was with him on the day he tragically died at the age of 68 (pictured in September)

The actress starred as drug dealer Jimmy’s long-suffering wife Jackie Corkhill on the soap, and sharing a moving tribute to the actor

‘A consummate professional, superb, much loved actor, a sweet, funny, kind human being I feel privileged to have to been with him yesterday. Rest in peace #Dean.’

The former Brookside actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018 and was finally discharged by his consultant last year after undergoing radiotherapy treatment. 

Dean recently spoke to The Liverpool Echo about his cancer diagnosis, saying: ‘The way I dealt with it was that I just sort of put myself in the hands of fate. If this was my time, then this was my time so I was quite philosophical about it really,

‘I know that people would worry themselves into an early grave as it were but I’m not that sort of person, I try to keep positive about things and I just got on with my life.’ 

Liverpool born Sullivan told how he wasn’t displaying most of the symptoms of prostate cancer other than a reduced flow.

However, he felt like something wasn’t right and went to the doctor, who just told him to keep an eye on it, but he returned to another doctor a few weeks later.

He said: ‘If I’d have listened to the first doctor, it might have been a different story so always trust your gut, 11 times out of 10, you’re right, we’ve still got that fight or flight instinct.’

A statement from Dean’s family confirmed the sad news of his death on Thursday. ‘It is with deep sadness we must tell you that actor Dean Sullivan passed away on 29th November 2023 peacefully following a short illness.

Sue (pictured with Dean in 1999) wrote: ‘A consummate professional, superb, much loved actor, a sweet, funny, kind human being I feel privileged to have to been with him yesterday’

In June Dean reunited with his Brookside daughter Claire Sweeney, who played Lindsey Corkhill, and Sue, who played Jackie, for an appearance at the British Soap Awards

‘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,’ read the message from Hamilton Management and his family.

His cause of death has not been confirmed. 

The actor admitted early detection was key to his successful radiotherapy treatment and urged other people to get checked if they are concerned.

In 2019, Sullivan opened up about his ‘shell shock’ cancer diagnosis, admitting he never thought he had an issue with his prostate as he wasn’t displaying many of the typical symptoms.

He told The Mirror at the time: ‘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.’

Sullivan admitted he didn’t immediately share the news with his loved ones or friends because he isn’t the type of person to ‘elicit’ support from their pals.

He kept the news to a few close friends and family members, explaining: ‘You’re the one living with it and dealing with it and my way of dealing with it was not to let it be a major part of my life.’

He added: ‘Also, there’s the situation when you think “I don’t want to tell this story again”, so only my closest family and friends knew. It was one of those when I thought “just get on with it and what will be will be”.’

Sullivan, from Liverpool, joined Brookside in 1986, four years after its launch and remained on the soap until it was axed in 2003.

He was at the centre of many of the soap’s most memorable storylines- including the moment Jimmy discovered the body of villain Trevor Jordache under a patio two years after his murder.

Dean died after a battle with prostate cancer , confirming in May he was living with the illness – five years after his original diagnosis

Dean won two British Soap Awards during his time on the show – including a special recognition award and held the record of filming  more episodes than any other actor on the show.

Back in June Dean reunited with his Brookside daughter Claire Sweeney, who played  Lindsey Corkhill, and wife Sue Jenkins, who played Jackie, for an appearance at the British Soap Awards.

Posing for the family reunion, Claire, who played Lindsey on and off for 12 years, admitted it felt very ’emotional’.

Taking to her Instagram alongside the pair, she penned: ‘Now this felt emotional. So happy to see @deansul @susie.jenks #brookside #family.’

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