Suzanne Collins: “Nothing comes close to my Brookside family, many I still see and work with and who have become like real family. I feel like I’m going home.”
Philip Olivier: “I remember my time on Brookside with great affection and will relish returning to the Close’.”
Liverpool born actors, Philip Olivier and Suzanne Collins to reprise their roles in the Brookside soap crossover, happening this autumn for Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary.
Tim ‘Tinhead’ first came to screens in 1996 when the character became a troubled character in the local high school, Brookside Comprehensive.
Son of Carmel and Tommy O’Leary and brother to Ben and Melanie, the O’Leary family were a prominent feature in the soap.
Philip’s character developed a complex bond with Sinbad (played by Michael Starke) who became a positive influence. After causing a near-fatal accident that almost killed his sister Melanie, Tinhead began to turn his life around.
Tim O’Leary later found love with Emily Shadwick, Nikki’s sister, and the pair married in 2001. Fiercely protective of her, Tinhead’s world unravelled when Emily drew him back into crime, leading to her tragic death during a 2002 robbery.
Nikki Shadwick lived in Brookside from 1998 until the final episode in 2003. Her father figure was Jimmy Corkhill, played by the late Dean Sullivan, of whom Suzanne shared one of the final ever Brookside scenes with.
Talking about her Brookside return, Suzanne said: “I’m so honoured and privileged to be part of this special episode and to play Nikki again. It was life changing getting cast in this role all those years ago, and I’m eternally grateful.
“I’ve been lucky to work for nearly 30 years, all over the world with wonderful people, but nothing comes close to my Brookside family, many I still see and work with and who have become like real family. I feel like I’m going home. It will be emotional without our darling Dean, but I think he will be looking down, beaming with pride and smiling down on us.
“I think it’s wonderful what Hollyoaks are doing, such a fitting tribute, and a heartfelt thank you to Phil Redmond, Our Boss, whose genius vision changed all our lives and to whom we are all eternally grateful.”
On his return Philip said: “It was a delight and surprise to be asked to join this special episode for Hollyoaks’ anniversary.
“When I was first cast in Brookside aged fifteen, I would never have thought that 30 years on, people would still be calling me ’Tinhead’!
“I remember my time on Brookside with great affection and will relish returning to ’the close’.
Philip Olivier bio – Philip played ‘Jason’ in two series of ITV1’s BENIDORM but he has also known his role of ‘Timothy ‘Tinhead’ O‘Leary’ in BROOKSIDE, a character he played for seven years. His other television credits include ’Ben’ in PLEASURE LAND ( C4), ‘Iggy’ in SPINE CHILLERS (BBC), ‘Steve Morrison’ in HOLBY CITY (BBC), a guest role in THE ROYAL (ITV), the regular role of ‘Adam Tyler’ in HOLLYOAKS – IN THE CITY (E4), ‘Mark Stone’ in MISSING (BBC), three different roles in DOCTORS (BBC) ‘Lee’ in THE SPA ( Sky One ) and he also appeared in the Irish celebrity Show – THE SALON. Philip has voiced the role of ‘Hex’ in Big Finishes’ DOCTOR WHO Audio for the last 12 years and he has just been voted “overall best companion.” On Film he played ‘Tim’ in UNFINISHED BUSINESS for Mersey Films, ‘Paul The Hom’ in THE CREW for Syndicate Films, and ‘Kyle’ in TAMLA ROSE. On Stage Phil played the role of ‘Dirty Harry’ in the UK Tour of NEVER FORGET – the hit musical with songs from ‘Take That’.
Suzanne Collins is an award winning actress with almost 30 years experience in television, film, theatre and radio. She has starred in many TV programmes and taken lead roles in feature films that have been screened at international festivals including Cannes and broadcast worldwide on platforms such as Amazon and Netflix. On stage, Suzanne has performed in theatres across the country in a wide range of styles from comedy to psychological thrillers, the latter earning her a Best Actress award. Twenty years ago she became a resident at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre with the smash hit Brick Up the Mersey Tunnels and has also worked alongside Willy Russell on Stags and Hens and Educating Rita.More than 21 years later, Suzanne is proud to still be fondly recognised as Brookside’s Nikki Shadwick.
