Brookside, the much-loved soap opera, is gearing up for a highly anticipated comeback on our TV screens, with Paul Usher set to reprise his iconic role as Barry Grant.
The renowned Channel 4 soap, fondly nicknamed Brookie, originally aired from 1982 to 2003 and is making a return in a special crossover episode with Hollyoaks to celebrate the latter’s 30th anniversary milestone.
Located in Liverpool, Brookside was famous for its impactful storylines, addressing sensitive topics such as rape, bullying, and incest. The special episode, scheduled for broadcast at 7pm on October 22, will honor Brookside creator, Sir Phil Redmond.
Paul Usher debuted as Barry Grant in Brookside’s first episode in 1982, evolving his character from a mischievous youngster to the tough guy of the soap opera.
Barry’s character became notorious for his involvement in the criminal underworld, including a storyline where he committed a heinous act in the soap’s 1000th episode in 1991, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
Paul portrayed Barry throughout the entire run of Brookside, spanning from 1982 to 2003, with intermittent breaks. He also featured in the spin-off series, Brookside: The Lost Weekend, and holds the distinction of being the only character to appear in both the inaugural and final episodes of the show.
In March 2019, soap fans were delighted to see Paul, now 64 years old, in EastEnders, assuming the role of Danny Hardcastle. Danny, a character with questionable motives, clashed with Phil in Walford over a financial scheme gone wrong.
Despite initially targeting Phil for repayment, Danny’s plans took a dark turn when he kidnapped Louise Mitchell after a confrontation with Ben Mitchell.
Returning in 2020 seeking revenge on the Mitchells, Danny found himself entangled in a criminal escapade, leading to his arrest by the authorities.
Aside from his Brookside and EastEnders roles, Paul has appeared in various TV shows like Liverpool 1, London’s Burning, and had a significant part in The Bill as Des Taviner until 2004.
Reflecting on his acting career, Paul expressed a preference for the craft over celebrity culture, emphasizing his pride in his work and his disdain for the fame aspect.
Happily married to Charlotte, whom he met during his time on The Bill, Paul and Charlotte share a son named Lucas. In a tragic turn of events, Paul’s son James passed away at the age of 24 in 2014.
Excited about the Brookside crossover episode, Paul eagerly agreed to participate upon learning that his on-screen parents, Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston, were also onboard, highlighting the reunion with former co-stars as a special moment.
The highly anticipated Hollyoaks and Brookside crossover event is set to air on October 22 at 7pm.