Hollyoaks presented a special crossover episode with Brookside to commemorate its 30th anniversary, leaving viewers craving additional content.
Soap fans were thrilled by a sentimental return to Brookside for the first time in 22 years as beloved characters returned to the famous street, including Ricky Tomlinson, Sue Johnston, Paul Usher, Philip Olivier, Suzanne Collins, Michael Starke, Louis Emerick and John McArdle.
Both treasured Channel 4 productions were created by Grange Hill mastermind Sir Philip Redmond, with Brookside subsequently providing the blueprint for the Chester-set Hollyoaks. Sir Philip also delivered a superb cameo appearance in the episode on Brookside Close, sending fans into raptures.
Throughout the episode, Hollyoaks detective Donny Clark (portrayed by Louis Emerick) was exposed as Brookside's Mick Johnson, who had staged his own demise two decades earlier.
Donny embarked on a nostalgic journey as his former mate Sinbad (Michael Starke) chauffered him back to Brookside Close. Sheila Grant (Sue Johnston) emerged and declared: "I'm sure I remember reading the eulogy at your funeral 20 years ago- Mick Johnson.", reports the Liverpool Echo.
The episode also disclosed that Sheila remained wed to Billy Corkhill, portrayed by John McArdle, and they had welcomed Donny's daughter Gemma (Tisha Merry) into their home.
McArdle portrayed Billy on the Channel 4 drama between 1985 and 1990, and returned to his character for the Hollyoaks crossover. However, the actor would welcome seeing Brookside make a permanent comeback.
The 76-year-old soap legend remarked: "It would be good if it did, and they could link it with Hollyoaks like they did with Holby City and Casualty. There is space for it with Liverpool being topical again with This City is Ours. ".
He continued: "Brookside is still so associated with Liverpool, the humour, loyalty, honesty, and the accent which you don't hear a lot on telly. Those elements are why people loved it so much."
McArdle also expressed his astonishment at being invited back to Brookside Close after three and a half decades.
He revealed: "I never thought I would ever play Billy Corkhill again, it was long gone.
"When I got the call I was surprised and thought: 'That's interesting!' And to be going into Hollyoaks for some scenes, as well as the main celebratory Brookside crossover, it all sounded wonderful."
He subsequently confessed: "The only doubt I had was, would I remember how to play Billy? He was an iconic character, I've got to get it spot on. So I started watching STV's repeats. I never kept any of my Brookside episodes so it's given me a chance to look back."
Sheila actress Sue Johnston has also voiced her hopes for Brookside to make a comeback following Wednesday evening's triumphant show.
Posting on X on Thursday, the 81 year old penned: "Let's get this out there far and wide. We NEED #Brookside back on our screens. As its own show or bring the Brookie cast into #Hollyoaks. Retweet if you agree."
Soap enthusiasts were quick to respond, with one viewer commenting: "Definitely, the finest soap out there and was way ahead of its time. Absolutely brilliant characters from the very opening episode, credit to everyone involved."
Another fan responded: "I'd love it to come back. I'd love to be in it actually", whilst a third remarked: "Yes, I'm just watching all the original episodes on STV."
Hollyoaks executive producer, Hannah Cheers, also spoke about the possibility of a Brookside comeback in future, stating: "Never say never. Most importantly, I am so proud we have opened the door to that universe and now it exists and is inscribed in Hollyoaks history.
"Hopefully we can continue to reference it and I'd love to see characters crossing back in as much as we can, we don't want to forget it."