Jimmy Corkhill

Jimmy Corkhill
Dean Sullivan as Jimmy Corkhill.
Brookside character
Portrayed by	Dean Sullivan
Duration	1986-2003
First appearance	24 February 1986
Last appearance	4 November 2003
Created by	Phil Redmond
Spin-off appearances	Brookside: The Lost Weekend
Classification	Former; regular
Profile
Occupation	Teacher
Mother Margaret Corkhill Brothers Frankie Corkhill Billy Corkhill Wife Jackie Walker (1971-2001) Sons Jimmy Corkhill Jr William Corkhill Daughters Lindsey Corkhill Granddaughters Kylie Corkhill Nephews Rod Corkhill Nieces Tracy Corkhill First cousins Don Corkhill

James 'Jimmy' Corkhill is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Dean Sullivan. He joined the series in 1986, originally arriving in a recurring basis appearing alongside his on-screen brother, Billy Corkhill, he then became a regular cast member, featuring in many big storylines and remaining in the show until its demise 17 years later. He is also cited as one of the show's most popular characters and was the longest featured character. Jimmy has often been cited as a lovable rogue by the media.

Jimmy is played by actor Dean Sullivan. He later became the longest serving cast member in the serial's history. Sullivan was initially only contracted to appear in six episodes as a recurring character, however due to his popularity he was taken on full-time and remained for seventeen years. When the serial was axed Sullivan stated he felt bereaved and it was like losing an old friend.

Jimmy is often described as a rogue. He is also described the "bad boy" character.

Jimmy first appeared in Brookside when brother Billy had moved in and was in the process of building the extension to no. 10. His first scene in the close featured Billy and Paul Collins, another close resident, who was the architect responsible for designing the extension.

Jimmy came and went for a couple of years as a sporadic character whilst the Corkhill family were introduced. His first big storyline involved an insurance 'job' on Billy's house. For a year or so, Billy Corkhill had been in dire financial straits and Jimmy talked him into what he thought was a surefire winner. So on a day when Rod Corkhill - son of Billy - graduated from Police college, Jimmy did the insurance job (in daylight) - and totally trashing the Collin's house in the process for good measure, to make it look a bit more convincing to the police and the insurance company. However, once Billy returned from the graduation later that day, he was mortified at the amount of damage Jimmy had done to his house and for a while it put a strain on their relationship.

In the early to mid 1990s, Jimmy Corkhill became an integral part of the storylines. First he suffered from a drug addiction which nearly destroyed his marriage to Jackie. He had numerous jobs including a barman and bouncer at "Bar Brookie", working for Mick Johnson in his pizza takeaway, a cleaner in a school and ultimately a history teacher at his local school. In November 1993, Jimmy's contacts were starting to get arrested and he decided to flee the close. When driving, he took a hit of cocaine to steady his nerves; however this seriously affected his driving and he caused neighbour Frank Rogers to swerve off a road and crash. Frank, who had just married Lyn Matthews, was badly injured and died just after arriving at the hospital. Jimmy had driven some of the relatives to hospital, and when they arrived he learnt that Frank had just died and that Tony was in a serious condition.