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Channel Four Television Corp. Channel 4

Brookside Returns to TV Screens After 22 Years

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

After a 22-year hiatus, Channel 4's flagship soap Brookside is back on TV screens as part of a crossover episode with Hollyoaks. The decision to revive the show was made to mark the 30th anniversary of Hollyoaks, another Channel 4 soap. Brookside was Channel 4's first soap and ran from 1982 to 2003, tackling important social issues and pioneering in the British soap genre.

Lee Brady, a 39-year-old superfan from Huyton, has been instrumental in keeping Brookside in the public eye. He has been running a Brookside fan group on Facebook, which has amassed an impressive 102,000 members. Lee believes that his fan group and his efforts in campaigning for the show's return have played a significant role in its revival.

Key Takeaways:

  • Brookside, Channel 4's first soap, has returned after a 22-year hiatus as part of a crossover episode with Hollyoaks to mark the 30th anniversary of Hollyoaks.
  • The show was a pioneering soap that tackled important social issues and ran from 1982 to 2003.
  • Lee Brady, a 39-year-old superfan, has been running a Brookside fan group on Facebook with 102,000 members, keeping the show relevant and in the public eye.
  • Lee launched a petition in 2007 to get the show released on DVD, which was signed by over 5,000 people and supported by several actors.
  • Channel 4 announced the return of Brookside as a one-off special episode earlier this year, with Lee believing his fan group can take some of the credit for its revival.
  • Lee thinks Brookside has the potential to make a full comeback, suggesting a new series with the original cast and exploring more gritty storylines.
  • Brookside has a significant following across the UK, with all episodes made available to watch on STV Player two years ago.

Statistics:

  • 22 years: The duration of Brookside's hiatus from TV screens.
  • 1982-2003: The years during which Brookside ran on Channel 4.
  • 102,000: The number of members in Lee Brady's Brookside fan group on Facebook.
  • 2007: The year Lee launched a petition to get Brookside released on DVD.
  • 5,000+ people: The number of people who signed Lee's petition to get Brookside released on DVD.
  • 30th anniversary: The reason for Brookside's crossover episode with Hollyoaks.
  • 2 years: The length of time since Brookside's episodes have been made available to watch on STV Player.

Sources:

  • The Liverpool Echo
  • Channel 4
  • STV Player

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