Brookside star Dean Sullivan’s six-figure fortune left to sister revealed one year on since heartbreaking death

Dean Sullivan died last year from prostate cancer

PA
Lauren Williams

By Lauren Williams


Published: 28/10/2024

- 16:12

Updated: 28/10/2024

- 16:14

The Channel 4 star was the longest-serving cast member on Brookside playing the character Jimmy Corkhill

Brookside star Dean Sullivan has left a staggering six-figure fortune in his will after his death last year at the age of 68-years-old.

Sullivan – who played Corkhill on the Channel 4 series – starred in the show from 1982 before it was axed in 2003 after a decade of falling ratings.


His character was known for battling a drug and drink addiction, whilst also developing an obsession with cleaning and selling his daughter’s toys for 10p each.

After the show was axed, Sullivan attempted to buy the show's custom-built set in an attempt to revive it, but it was ultimately sold to developers who transformed the street's homes into luxury detached properties.

Sullivan was also known for a string of reality TV ventures, which included last year's series of BBC Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, with several of the episodes airing after his death.

The star died from prostate cancer, which he had battled since 2018 and left behind a staggering fortune in his will.

Cast of Brookside

Dean Sullivan made his name during his stint in Brookside

GETTY

According to The Sun, probate records show that he bequeathed £660,000, including properties, bank accounts and royalties from re-runs of the show, to his sister Joy.

Sullivan allegedly signed off his will the day before he died, telling of his wish to be an organ donor and helping others in need of life-saving transplants.

Altogether, Sullivan’s career led him to a total worth of £757,000 – however, nearly £100k was spent on settling mortgages, paying lawyers and his funeral.

The Grange Hill star announced he had prostate cancer back in 2018 after noticing a change when going to the toilet.

Dean Sullivan

Dean Sullivan played Jimmy Corkhill in the series

YOUTUBE

He told The Mirror: “My streamwasn’t as strong as it used to be. I used to joke I would be able to pee over a wall it was so strong.”

Noting that something wasn’t right, he visited his local surgery where a locum doctor told him he didn’t think there was anything wrong.

After no improvement two months on, Sullivan decided to return to his doctor and said: “It's a bit like when you can feel you’re getting a cold.

“Everyone knows their own body, so when there is something not sitting right, you just know. Sometimes people think they’re bothering the doctor unnecessarily and that doctors are always right, so if they’ve said it’s nothing, it’s nothing. But we shouldn’t be embarrassed to go back."

His death was announced by his agent through a statement which 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."

Dean Sullivan

Dean Sullivan starred in Celebrity Antiques Road Trip as one of his last TV shows

BBC

Thousands of tributes poured in for the star, including one from TV icon Les Dennis who penned: “So terribly sad to hear that lovely Dean Sullivan has died.

"I did a short stint on Brookside and he welcomed me with open arms. A lovely, funny, charming man. He’s left us far too soon.” (sic)

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