Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney has been flooded with messages from fans as she shared an update following her heartbreaking loss. The actress was left devastated back in November when it was confirmed her Brookside co-star Dean Sullivan had died following a short illness.

The actor, best known for playing Jimmy Corkhill in the Merseyside TV soap, died aged 68 after revealing he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018 and spoke about his treatment and diagnosis to the Mirror in 2019.

Claire, who played his daughter Lindsey Corkhill in the former Channel 4 soap, was later among the mourners at Dean’s funeral in December at Liverpool Parish Church alongside the likes of Sue Johnston, Michael Starke and Louis Emerick as well as Sue Jenkins, who played his on-screen wife Jackie Corkhill, to pay their respects.

On Thursday (May 23), Claire took to Instagram with a montage of images that had been shared with her of her and Dean while the late Paul O’Grady and Claire’s ex-partner Alan Miller, also featured in the string of photos.

The 53-year-old alongside the Dusty Springfield track ‘Yesterday When I Was Young’ and said: “I was sent some photos from Dean Sullivan’s house, thank you Jamie. They have really moved me, especially to see that 4 of these special men have passed over. I will treasure the pics and these memories RIP Dean Sullivan, Alan Miller, Gary Lawson and Paul O’Grady.”

And her fans and followers were quick to respond. @marcelle.connjamieson said: “Beautiful memories Claire , Brookside was great ,Dean was a major great character. RIP beautiful man.” @nicky_kyte replied: “Lovely memories. Alan Miller was a great goalie at West Brom, such a gentleman. Remember seeing you at games cheering them on. Loved you on Brookie too with Dean…happy days.”