Brookside's six craziest celebrity cameos from the Pope to BBC chat show royalty
Ahead of its long-awaited return to our screens, let's look back at the big names who popped by the Channel 4 show during its initial run
It's been away from our screens for 22 years, but at last Brookside is staging its much-anticipated comeback – for a limited time only. The beloved Liverpool soap opera will return in October as part of a special crossover episode with Hollyoaks to mark its 30th anniversary.
Both programmes are the creation of acclaimed writer Sir Phil Redmond, who expressed his excitement about seeing his two productions come together. He recently said: "I can't wait to see how all the gardens are coping in the heatwave and, who knows, what might pop up if someone decides to re-lay their patio. I know we left something else down there."
Brookside, which initially aired on Channel 4 between 1982 and 2003, propelled numerous household names to stardom who have since achieved greater success. Anna Friel secured her television debut as Beth Jordache across two series, while Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson – who portrayed Sheila and Bobby Grant respectively during the 1980s – would later reunite in the late 1990s in the BBC's hit comedy The Royle Family.
The soap also proved so successful that it even drew several celebrity guest appearances, and here we examine the six most significant cameos to grace Brookside Close.
1 of 6 Pope John Paul II (1987)
Arguably the most significant cameo on this list, his late Holiness appeared in the programme for a few blessed moments. In the episode Ti Amo, Pope John Paul II gave a speech in Rome to his congregation from a balcony – and among those witnessing him speak were Sheila and Bobby, who were on holiday in the Italian capital. Pope John Paul II maintained strong ties with Liverpool, having visited the city in May 1982 during a UK-wide tour.
(Image:Mirrorpix)2 of 6 Graham Norton, the Nolans and Carol Smillie (2000)
The episode St Pat's Day, aired in 2000, proved that three celebrity cameos were better than one. This lively trio turned up as guests to celebrate the grand reopening of the Parade shopping centre. There was plenty of comedy to savour too, with one scene showing Graham and Carol trading barbs – he took offence at the ex-Changing Rooms presenter branding him and the Nolans "dancing Shamrocks".
(Image:Channel 4)3 of 6 Lorraine Kelly and Eamonn Holmes (1994)
If you thought this year's crossover with Hollyoaks will be remarkable, then consider this channel-hopping feat from 31 years ago. In the episode On The Television, Brookside filmed a sequence featuring Lorraine and Eamonn presenting GMTV, ITV's hit breakfast show at the time, while interviewing Penny Crosbie (portrayed by the late Mary Tamm). However, Penny's time in the limelight was dashed by David (John Burgess) bursting onto the set and throwing a tantrum at the two hosts.
(Image:Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images)
4 of 6 Paul O'Grady (as Lily Savage, 1994)
Brookside was marking its impressive 12th year on screen when Birkenhead's finest made his cameo. Paul was delighted to feature in his hometown programme during the episode Misinformation. Appearing as his famous alter ego Lily Savage, he attended the opening of restaurant Grants, run by Barry Grant (portrayed by Paul Usher) and Max Farnham (Steven Pinder). Lily said in the scene: "It was no problem at all! I only had to come over from Birkenhead and there was nothing on the telly!"
(Image:Hulton Archive/JMEnternational/Getty Images)5 of 6 Morrissey (1988)
There certainly was no panic in the streets of Liverpool when the ex-Smiths frontman rocked up. The self-confessed Brookside "addict" happily made his appearance on the show, in the spin-off episode South. His characteristic dry humour was evident when Tracy Corkhill (Justine Kerrigan) said to him: "I know who you are!", only for him to respond wryly: "So do I." This charming man, eh?
(Image:Jose Jordan/AFP via Getty Images)6 of 6 David Seaman (1999)
The former England and Arsenal shot-stopper was no stranger to away days at Liverpool, but this one was a whole new ball game for him. The man affectionately known as 'Safe Hands' earned his sole Brookside cap with a cameo in the 1999 New Year's Day episode called Sl*g, in which he was invited to a party. He faced plenty of shots on target from the cast, especially from Jacqui Dixon (Alex Fletcher) who quipped: "Don't count on my support at Highbury, I'm a loyal Red!"
(Image:Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)