Brookside was a hit soap during the 80s and 90s and helped to launch the careers of many big Brit stars.
After ratings dipped the programme was given the axe by Channel 4 in 2003 but Phil Redmond, the man behind the series, recently said the Liverpool-based show could make a comeback.
He told Digital Spy: “It could come back in some form – never say never. I think what you would do is go and find some of the old characters, find out where they’re living and pick it up from there.”
So, just what are the former stars of the drama up to now?
Claire Sweeney
Claire (see pictures above) played Lindsey Corkhill from 1989 to 2003 but went on to have a foray into reality television and finished runner-up in the first ever series of Celebrity Big Brother.
In the famous house Claire showed off her skills as a singer by performing show tunes which worked out well for her – she went on to have a starring role in the West End production of Chicago.
She has also made other TV appearances in Mersey Beat, Clocking Off and Candy Cabs.
Anna Friel
![Brookside](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/celebrity/56f6ce0975e6403601fdd30d/anna-friel.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
One of the most successful stars today to have come from the soap is Anna Friel, who played Beth Jordache from 1992 to 1994.
Anna hit headlines at the time when she shared the first ever pre-watershed, on-screen lesbian kiss with character Margaret Clemence, played by Nicola Stephenson.
She went on to make her film debut in 1998 in Land Girls and has since made a number of movies including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Timeline, Land of the Lost and Limitless.
Anna’s career has also crossed the pond and she is known in the US for her portrayal of Charlotte ‘Chuck’ Charles in the comedy Pushing Daisies, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2008.
Ricky Tomlinson
![Brookside](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/celebrity/56f6ce0975e6403601fdd30d/ricky-tomlinson.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Ricky Tomlinson played the character of Bobby Grant from 1982 to 1988 and went on to become a comedian.
He was well known for playing Jim Royle in The Royle Family and for appearing in film Mike Bassett: England Manager.
The star has suffered two heart attacks and has become known for his campaign work for men to get free, regular checks to combat the rise in heart disease.
Sue Johnston
![Brookside](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/celebrity/56f6ce0975e6403601fdd30d/sue-johnston.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Sue Johnston played the role of Sheila Grant from 1982 to 1990 and went on to have a successful career following her time on the soap.
She appeared alongside former Brookside co-star Ricky Tomlinson in The Royle Family as Barbara Royle, and has also appeared on Coronation Street and Waking the Dead.
Sue also made guest appearances in the fifth series of Downton Abbey.
Alex Fletcher
![Brookside](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/celebrity/56f6ce0975e6403601fdd30d/alex-fletcher.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Alexandra ‘Alex’ Fletcher was cast as Jacqui Farnham and appeared on Brookside from 1990 to 2003.
She was the longest serving star of the soap and, after her time working on the Close, she became a qualified fitness instructor.
Alex returned to acting and joined the cast of Hollyoaks as Diane O’Connor in 2010.
Ray Quinn
![Brookside](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/celebrity/56f6ce0975e6403601fdd30d/ray-quinn.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Ray Quinn joined Brookside as a child actor when he was cast as Anthony Murray from 2000 to 2003.
He became better known when he auditioned for The X Factor and finished in second place behind Leona Lewis in 2006.
Two days after the ITV talent show finished, Ray signed to Simon Cowell’s record label and reached the top of the charts with his album of swing music, Doing It My Way.
Ray went on to appear on the fourth series of Dancing On Ice in 2009 and competed in the All Stars season of the show in 2015.
In February 2015 he won the first series of television show Get Your Act Together.
Jennifer Ellison
![Brookside](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/celebrity/56f6ce0975e6403601fdd30d/jennifer-ellison.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Jennifer Ellison played Emily Shadwick between 1988 and 2003.
She’s an all-rounder in performing arts and has tried her hand at modelling, singing, dancing, and appeared as Meg Giry in the 2004 film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera.
The star pursued a career in pop in the early 00s and released two singles, Baby I Don’t Care and Bye Bye Boy.
She has appeared on many television shows including Hell’s Kitchen, which she won, Dancing On Ice, The Brief, Hotel Babylon and Loose Women among many others.
Dean Sullivan
![Brookside](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/celebrity/56f6ce0975e6403601fdd30d/dean-sullivan.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Dean Sullivan worked on Brookside as Jimmy Corkhill from 1986 to 2003.
He hit the headlines in 2008 when he reportedly wanted to buy 13 houses on Brookside Close, which is a real road rather than a TV set, in a bid to resurrect the drama, but he was unsuccessful.
In 2011 he spoke out in the hope of reviving his Brookside character in another soap, such as Coronation Street or EastEnders.