Inside Dean Sullivan’s prostate cancer battle and moment Brookside’s Jimmy Corkhill actor knew ‘something wasn’t right’
BROOKSIDE legend Dean Sullivan urged others to “trust their gut” as he opened up more about his cancer battle before his death.
The Jimmy Corkhill actor admitted he left his health “in the hands of fate” after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018.
Dean’s agent this morning sadly revealed he had died peacefully following a short illness.
A statement 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’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
He had been discharged last year after undergoing HDR (high dose rate) brachytherapy and radiotherapy treatment for his prostate cancer.
The Brookside actor previously spoke to the Liverpool Echo about his diagnosis.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The soap opera icon revealed he did not struggle with many of the symptoms usually associated with prostate cancer.
However, he did notice a reduced flow and decided to get checked after listening to his gut instinct.
The first medical professional he saw told him to monitor it, but a second opinion confirmed he had the disease.
“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,” he added.
Dean was confident his early diagnosis helped lead to successful treatment and warned others to get checked as soon as they notice any changes.
When the Brookside star was told he had prostate cancer, he only told a handful of close family and friends.
He previously told The Mirror: “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.”
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 was the longest-serving cast member on Brookside – but he was originally only supposed to be in six episodes as recurring character Corkhill.
Jimmy famously found Trevor Jordache’s body under the patio with Eddie Banks, and he also battled drug addiction during the show’s run.
The show was cancelled by Channel 4 in 2003 but there had been talks of a highly anticipated reboot.
In February 2023, Dean told Metro he wasn’t ruling out the revival, adding: “I think it could work even more so these days because one of the big initial storylines, the Grants were a true working-class family.
“I think there would be a massive appetite for it.”
What signs should I never ignore?
According to the NHS, some signs of prostate cancer may include:
- Needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
- Needing to rush to the toilet
- Difficulty in starting to pee
- Straining or taking a long time while peeing
- Weak flow
- Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- Blood in urine or blood in semen
If you have these symptoms, it doesn’t mean you have the disease – but you should get them checked out.