Inside Brookside star Dean Sullivan's eye-watering will after lengthy cancer battle

Dean Sullivan passed away at the age of 68 after losing his battle to cancer (Image: Liverpool Echo)

The late Brookside actor Dean Sullivan has left an impressive legacy to his family as details of his will emerge.

The soap star was just 68 when he passed away following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer in November 2023. Now, details of his will have become public, leaving a substantial sum to his sister, Joy.

Alongside his financial gestures, the TV favourite also made provisions for organ donation, potentially saving the lives of others even after his passing, reports the Mirror.

Born into a large family in the heart of Liverpool, Dean was one of seven, with siblings Alan, Brian, Derek, Neil, and Joy. He was renowned for his iconic role as Jimmy Corkhill on the famous Channel 4 soap from 1986 until its conclusion in 2003.

Initially joining Brookside for what was meant to be six episodes, he went on to become its most enduring character throughout its impressive 2,915-episode run before it was cancelled.

He played Jimmy Corkhill on the famous Channel 4 soap (Image: Daily Mirror)

According to The Sun the actor made sure his sister was taken care of after his death. The outlet reports: "[Dean] bequeathed £660,000, including properties, bank accounts and royalties from re-runs of the show, to his sister Joy.

"The will, signed off only a day before he died, also told of his wish to be an organ donor helping others in need of life-saving transplants."

It went on: "His total worth was £757,000, but nearly £100k was spent on settling mortgages, paying lawyers and his funeral - attended by a dozen co-stars."

The actor passed away unwed and without children, according to available information. Dean's death was confirmed last November. A statement from Hamilton Management and his family said: "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."

In an interview given during his illness, the soap star encouraged fans to "listen to their bodies" as he revealed his initial symptoms.

The actor explained he first noticed symptoms when he faced difficulty when urinating. He told readers: "The strength of my flow when I used to go to the loo to have a pee was reduced.

"The first time I went to the doctor's surgery he said, 'we'll just keep an eye on it and see how you go on'. It was a few weeks later, I just knew that wasn't right."

He went on: "When I went back, I saw a doctor who specialised in prostate treatment. He gave me a quick examination and within two weeks I was at the hospital speaking to the consultant.

"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," as reported by the Liverpool Echo at the time.