Brookside was a soap opera created by Hollyoaks creator Phil Redmond. The series ran from 2nd November 1982 until 4th November 2003 and was transmitted on Channel 4.
The universe of Brookside exists in the same universe as Hollyoaks. Characters from Brookside have been seen in The Dog in the Pond, whilst Kurt and Ruth Benson were seen in the background in a scene from an episode airing in July 1998. In February 2000, Matt Musgrove became the first soap character to move from one main soap opera to another. In January 2002, The Loft was mentioned in Brookside by Emily Shadwick.
Several of the Hollyoaks cast, as well as sets from the programme, were also featured in Brookside: Double Take in 1999. Towards the end of Brookside's production, the houses used for 7 and 8 Brookside Close were re-used as 19 and 21 Eastham Crescent in Hollyoaks. The Cunningham family's 12 Tatton Crescent home was also one of the houses owned by the production company for Brookside, however it was never a focus on-screen like its Brookside Close neighbours.
In June 2003, Brookside was axed due to low viewing figures.
Out of the regular Hollyoaks cast, actor David Easter played Pat Hancock from 1984 to 1987, Alex Fletcher played Jacqui Dixon from 1990 to 2003, Robert Beck played Peter Harrison from 1992 to 1993, Ray Quinn played Anthony Murray from 2000 to 2003, whilst Ben Hull played Gary Parr and Barry Sloane played Sean Smith from 2002 to 2003.