Brookside star Philip Olivier on 'daunting' return and acting future

Philip Olivier says slipping back into playing his much-loved Brookside character ­Tinhead felt amazing as the soap returns after 22 years.

He is among a host of faces from the Channel 4 soap taking part in a special crossover episode with Hollyoaks to mark the show's 30th anniversary, including originalsSue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson. Philip, 45, says: “It was like the weirdest reunion you’ve ever had. Everyone’s aged. Everyone’s 20 years older. But seeing everyone back in the same place… it was the strangest thing, but it was great.”

Brookside started on the day Channel 4 launched – November 2, 1982 – and went off air 21 years later on November 4, 2003. Filmed in a cul-de-sac on a new-build estate in Liverpool, it was the brainchild of Sir Phil Redmond, who also created Hollyoaks.

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Philip adds: “It was amazing to work with Sue Johnston, who I’ve never worked with before. And Paul Usher and Ricky Tomlinson. For me, they were the big dogs of the old show. It was a tick off the bucket list to finally work with them.”

After Brookie ended, the houses were eventually turned back into family homes – and the one-off special, which airs on October 22, has been filmed there. Philip, returning as lovable rogue Tim O’Leary, says the location gave him “a weird case of deja vu”.

Philip joined the show at 15, playing a bully who changed his ways when his actions nearly killed his sister. By his final episodes he was a limo driver – and involved in the killing of a drug dealer. He says of stepping back into the role: “It’s been daunting – but it’s dead easy getting back into being Tinhead. I just play myself.”

Since leaving Brookside, the dad of five has had a string of roles, including in Doctors, Benidorm and a late-night Hollyoaks spin-off. He also featured in reality shows Four in a Bed, Come Dine with Me and The Games – but now focuses on his business ventures, including his own sightseeing venture, Liverpool City Sights.

But he says he is particularly excited for his kids to see him on telly. He explains: “There’s nothing on the back of this, I’ve actually taken a different career path. I have a few businesses, I’m in board meetings all the time and never on set.

“It was good to exercise the acting muscles again. The last thing my kids saw was a pantomime I did about six years ago. It’ll be nice – the eldest is 10 now. They’re going to be glued to the screen.”

Next month's crossover episode will honour Sir Phil Redmond, who created Brookside and Hollyaoks. He said: "Who knows what might pop up if someone re-lays their patio? I know we left something down there?"

It will be the first time that Brookside Close has featured on air since the soap ended with Jimmy Corkhill (Dean Sullivan) daubing a 'd' on the road sign, to read Brookside Closed before driving out of the cul-de-sac in November 2003.

Executive producer Hannah Cheers said: "This special feels like a moving and fitting tribute? and a chance for fans to revisit much-loved Brookside."

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