Brookside legend Dean Sullivan seen in final picture before his tragic death aged 68 as he supported Brookside co-star

BROOKSIDE legend Dean Sullivan has sadly passed away at the age of 68 after a five-year battle with cancer.

The Jimmy Corkhill actor admitted he left his health “in the hands of fate” after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018.

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Dean Sullivan was seen in final picture alongside former co-star Sue JenkinsCredit: Facebook

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Dean Sullivan has sadly passed away at the age of 68Credit: Rex

The star was last pictured at the Everyman theatre in Liverpool two months ago alongside his former co-star and onscreen wife Sue Jenkins, who played Jackie Corkhill in the Channel 4 soap opera.

Dean looked chuffed as he posed next to Sue, 65, back in September, when he supported her at her performance of stage show Cuckoo.

He shared the picture on his social media and penned: “With Sue at Cuckoo at Everyman Liverpool she gives a great performance! Go see!”

Many fans were delighted to see the pair reunite, with one follower writing: “Oh ace. Workplace husband & wife.”

Another posted: “Great photo of you both.”

That same month, Dean opened up about his cancer journey at the 25th anniversary Pause for Hope service.

He was the main keynote speaker at the charity event, where he urged people not to leave it too late to get checked out.

The star helped to raise awareness in support of people who have been affected by cancer, when he delivered a speech about his experiences.

A few months earlier he was pictured with former co-stars Claire Sweeney and Sue Jenkins in June at the British Soap Awards 2023.

He wrote: “Reunited with my Corkhill ‘wife’ and ‘daughter’ the gorgeous Sue and the gorgeous Claire at the British Soap Awards 2023! – ITV Tuesday 8pm! We had a ball!”

Dean’s agent this morning revealed he had died peacefully following a short illness.

A statement read: “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.”

He previously told the Liverpool Echo: “The way I dealt with it was that I just sort of put myself in the hands of fate. If this was my time, then this was my time so I was quite philosophical about it really.

“I know that people would worry themselves into an early grave as it were but I’m not that sort of person, I try to keep positive about things and I just got on with my life.”

The soap opera icon revealed he did not struggle with many of the symptoms usually associated with prostate cancer.

However, he did notice a reduced flow and decided to get checked after listening to his gut instinct.

The first medical professional he saw told him to monitor it, but a second opinion confirmed he had the disease.

“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,” he added.

Dean is confident his early diagnosis helped lead to his successful treatment and has warned others to get checked as soon as they notice any changes.

When the Brookside star was told he had prostate cancer, he only told a handful of close family and friends.

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He was pictured with former co-stars Claire Sweeney and Sue Jenkins in JuneCredit: Instagram

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Dean (top left) shot to fame on BrooksideCredit: Getty