Familiar stars back for Brookside's return

John McArdle and Paul Usher are the latest cast members to be announced

Veteran soap stars John McArdle and Paul Usher will reprise their roles in Brookside for the TV soap's return to the small screen later this year.

Camera crews are set to descend on the famous Liverpool cul-de-sac as part of a one-off special episode to mark Hollyoaks' 30th anniversary.

McArdle returns as Billy Corkhill while Usher will reprise his role as Barry Grant in the soap's revival.

"It's going to be a nostalgic visit back to the famous close," McArdle said.

"Also I've got to try and find the character of Billy Corkhill again as I haven't played him for 35 years."

Usher added: "I'm looking forward to seeing all of the old faces."

The actors join Sue Johnston who will return to the character of Liverpudlian matriarch Sheila Grant, later Corkhill.

Conceived by Grange Hill and Hollyoaks creator Sir Philip Redmond, Brookside drew in audiences of nine million viewers at its peak before finishing on 4 November 2003.

The show, set in Liverpool, was known for its hard-hitting storylines and took on issues like rape, bullying and incest.

Brookside was filmed on a real cul-de-sac from 1982 to 2003

Billy Corkhill moved into the fictional close in the 1980s with his wife Doreen and their teenage children Rod and Tracy.

The show shed light on men's mental health issues through Billy's struggles after losing his job, which spiralled into a breakdown, leading to the couple's divorce and Doreen's departure.

Billy later found love again with Shelia Grant, with the couple marrying in September 1990.

Living at No 5, the Grants originally consisted of parents Bobby, who was played by Ricky Tomlinson, and Sheila and their children Barry, Karen and Damon.

Audiences watched Barry grow up from a cheeky youngster to a charismatic businessman before becoming the show's villain.

It will be the first time that Brookside Close has been on air since it ended in 2003 with Jimmy Corkhill, played by the late Dean Sullivan, daubing a "d" onto the sign, leaving it as "Brookside Closed" before driving out of the cul-de-sac.

Filming is set take place in September on the close which is based in the West Derby area of Liverpool.