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Brookside (television Program)
''Brookside'' is a British television soap opera, set in Liverpool, England, which began on the launch night of Channel 4, 2 November 1982. It ran for 21 years until 4 November 2003. It was produced by Mersey Television and conceived by ''Grange Hill'' and ''Hollyoaks'' creator Phil Redmond. ''Brookside'' was Channel 4's highest rated programme from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, with audiences regularly in excess of seven million. Initially notable for its realistic and socially challenging storylines, from the mid-1990s the show began raising more controversial subjects under new producers such as Mal Young and Paul Marquess. It is especially well known for broadcasting the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss on British television in 1994, as well as a domestic abuse storyline resulting in murder. It also had the first gay character on a British TV series, who was outed in a 1985 storyline. In 1996, the series experienced an extreme backlash from viewers when it featured a hugel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Soap Opera
A soap opera (also called a daytime drama or soap) is a genre of a long-running radio or television Serial (radio and television), serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term ''soap opera'' originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored by soap manufacturers.Bowles, p. 118. The term was preceded by ''horse opera'', a derogatory term for low-budget Western (genre), Westerns. According to some dictionaries, for something to be adequately described as a soap opera, it need not be long-running; but some authors define the word in a way that excludes short-running serial dramas from their definition. BBC Radio's ''The Archers'', first Broadcasting, broadcast in 1950, is the world's longest-running soap opera. The longest-running television soap opera is ''Coronation Street'', which was first broadcast on ITV (TV network), ITV in 1960. According to Albert Moran, one of the defining features that make a television program a soap ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
All 4
Channel 4 (previously 4oD and All 4) is a video on demand service from Channel Four Television Corporation, free of charge for most content and funded by advertising. The service is available in the UK and Ireland; viewers are not required to have a TV licence—required for live viewing and the BBC iPlayer on-demand service—when watching on-demand services. The service offers a variety of programmes recently shown on Channel 4, E4, More4, Film4 and E4 Extra and shorts, alongside exclusive content such as programming from Adult Swim. However some programmes and movies are not available due to rights issues. The service was originally available without registration, but free registration was later required. The service is available without advertising (except for live viewing) on payment of a subscription, under the name Channel 4+ (previously All 4+). The service launched on 16 November 2006 as 4oD (for "4 on Demand"). All 4 generated around 215 million long-form video ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Council Estate
Public housing in the United Kingdom, also known as council housing or social housing, provided the majority of rented accommodation until 2011, when the number of households in private rental housing surpassed the number in social housing. Dwellings built for public housing, public or social housing use are built by or for Municipality, local authorities and known as council houses. Since the 1980s, non-profit housing associations (HA) became more important and subsequently the term "social housing" became widely used — as technically, council housing only refers to properties owned by a local authority — as this embraces both council and HA properties, though the terms are largely used interchangeably. Before 1865, housing for the poor was provided solely by the private sector. Council houses were then built on council estates — known as schemes in Scotland — where other amenities, like schools and shops, were often also provided. From the 1950s, alongside large deve ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Middle-class
The middle class refers to a class of people in the middle of a social hierarchy, often defined by occupation, income, education, or social status. The term has historically been associated with modernity, capitalism and political debate. Common definitions for the middle class range from the middle fifth of individuals on a nation's income ladder, to everyone but the poorest and wealthiest 20%. Theories like "Paradox of Interest" use decile groups and wealth distribution data to determine the size and wealth share of the middle class. Terminology differs in the United States, where the term ''middle class'' describes people who in other countries would be described as working class. There has been significant global middle-class growth over time. In February 2009, ''The Economist'' asserted that over half of the world's population belonged to the middle class, as a result of rapid growth in emerging countries. It characterized the middle class as having a reasonable amount o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ricky Tomlinson
Eric "Ricky" Tomlinson (born 26 September 1939) is an English actor. He is best known for his television roles as Bobby Grant in the soap opera '' Brookside'' (1982–1988), DCI Charlie Wise in '' Cracker'' (1993–2006) and Jim Royle in '' The Royle Family'' (1998–2012). He also played the titular character in the 2001 football mockumentary '' Mike Bassett: England Manager''. Early life Eric Tomlinson was born on 26 September 1939 at Burleigh House in Bispham, Blackpool, Lancashire, and has lived in Liverpool nearly all his life. His father was a baker and he was born in Bispham because, just after the outbreak of World War II, his mother Peggy was evacuated there over concerns that Liverpool would be bombed. He attended Walton Technical College in Walton, after passing an exam when he was just 13. His favourite subject was English. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Tomlinson played banjo in bands known as the Guitanjos, Hobo Rick & The City Slickers, and Hobo Rick a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bobby Grant (Brookside)
Bobby Grant is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera '' Brookside'', played by Ricky Tomlinson. One of the show's original characters, Bobby debuted on-screen during the show's first episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Tomlinson attended a series of auditions in Liverpool after being invited by his friend Tony Scoggo. Various actors were invited back and auditioned in different groups to observe who worked well together. Bobby was cast by show creator and executive producer Phil Redmond and production team member Janet Goddard. The latter expressed her interest in Redmond meeting Tomlinson, as she believed him best suited to the role aesthetically. Tomlinson performed an improvised monologue in front of them to secure the role. Bobby is portrayed as a staunch socialist and trade unionist. He is the patriarch of the Grant family, which originally consisted of Bobby, his wife Sheila Grant ( Sue Johnston) and their children Barry Grant ( Paul Usher), D ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sue Johnston
Sue Johnston (born Susan Wright; 7 December 1943) is an English actress. She is known for portraying Sheila Grant in the Channel 4 soap opera '' Brookside'' (1982–1990), Barbara Royle in the BBC comedy '' The Royle Family'' (1998–2012), Grace Foley in the BBC drama '' Waking the Dead'' (2000–2011), Gloria Price in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' (2012–2014), and Miss Denker in the ITV drama ''Downton Abbey'' (2014–2015). In 2000, for her work on ''The Royle Family'', Johnston won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actress and was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Comedy Performance. In 2025, she was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work on '' Truelove''. Early life Johnston was born on 7 December 1943 in Warrington and grew up in Prescot, both then in Lancashire. She is the daughter of Fred and Margaret Jane Wright (née Cowan). After working in the glass industr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sheila Grant
Sheila Corkhill (also Grant) is a fictional character from British soap opera ''Brookside (TV series), Brookside'', played by Sue Johnston. Sheila appeared in Brookside from the first episode in 1982 until the character's departure in 1990. Her most famous storyline was in 1986, when the character was attacked, raped and beaten by an unknown assailant. Everyone was a suspect, including family friend Matty Nolan (Tony Scoggo). It was later revealed that the taxi driver raped Sheila. Characterisation The Grant family consisted of Bobby Grant (Brookside), Bobby (Ricky Tomlinson), Sheila, Barry Grant, Barry (Paul Usher), Karen Grant, Karen (Shelagh O'Hara) and Damon Grant, Damon (Simon O'Brien). The Grants appeared in the first episode (although Karen's appearance was fleeting and uncredited) and were the first to move into the new houses on Brookside Close. Prior to moving onto Brookside Close, the Grant family were from a run-down inner-city council estate, however through Bobby a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Broseley Estates Limited
Broseley Estates Limited, also referred to as Broseley Homes, was a housebuilder based in Leigh, Lancashire which operated from the 1950s until the 1980s. History Broseley's roots trace back to the 1950s when Daniel Horrocks began his career as an estate agent; he formed a partnership with Alf Smith (of Culcheth) Ltd and two others, and started building small developments of houses and refurbishing commercial properties in the south Lancashire area. In 1960 the various development companies were merged into the Broseley Investment Company, with Royal Exchange holding 26%. In 1961 Metropolitan Railway Surplus Lands also acquired a 20% holding; after further changes in shareholdings, Guardian Royal Exchange (as it had then become) finally achieved majority control in 1970.Wellings, Fred: Dictionary of British Housebuilders (2006) Troubador. , During the 1960s Broseley expanded in the north-west and then, through the acquisition of Frederick Powell & Sons Limited, in the south ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Croxteth
Croxteth is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England, and a Liverpool City Council Ward. Although housing in the area is predominantly modern, the suburb has some notable history. At the 2011 census it had a population of 14,561. Etymology The name ''Croxteth'' appears to be of Old Norse origin. The name appears to mean "Croc's landing place" or "river-bend landing place", derived from the elements ''Croc'' (personal name) or Old Norse ''krókr'' ("river-bend") + Norse ''stǫð'' ("landing-place, jetty"). Or else, the second element may be ''staðr'' ("place"). History The suburb is in the north of Liverpool and borders Norris Green, Gilmoss, Fazakerley and West Derby. The "Dog and Gun" public house (demolished in 2005) was a historic hostelry, likely associated with the hunt from Croxteth Hall. The first tranche of housing in Croxteth was built to rehouse families from the Scotland Road area of the city that was subject to mass demolition during the construction of th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cul-de-sac
A dead end, also known as a ''cul-de-sac'' (; , ), a no-through road or a no-exit road, is a street with only one combined inlet and outlet. Dead ends are added to roads in urban planning designs to limit traffic in residential areas. Some dead ends prohibit all-through traffic, while others allow cyclists, pedestrians, or other non-automotive traffic to pass through connecting easements or paths. The latter case is an example of filtered permeability. The International Federation of Pedestrians proposed calling such streets "living end streets" and to provide signage at the entry of the streets that clearly indicates non-automotive permeability. This would retain the dead end's primary function as a non-through road, but establish complete pedestrian and bicycle network connectivity. "Dead end" is not the most commonly used expression in all English-speaking regions. Official terminology and traffic signs include many alternatives; some are only used regionally. In th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sunetra Sarker
Sunetra Sarker (born 25 June 1973) is an English actress and presenter, known for her roles as Nisha Batra in '' Brookside'', Anji Mittel in '' No Angels'', Zoe Hanna in '' Casualty'', and Kaneez Paracha in '' Ackley Bridge''. In 2014, she took part in the twelfth series of ''Strictly Come Dancing'', partnered with Brendan Cole. Since 2019, she has been a regular participant on '' Celebrity Gogglebox'', partnering with Georgia Taylor, and became a panellist on the lunch time chat show '' Loose Women'' in 2021. Early life Sarker was born in Liverpool into an Indian family. Her father is a retired doctor, and her mother Bisakha taught Indian classical dance, for which she was awarded an MBE in December 2013. Sarker has a degree in Information Systems for Business in Europe from Brunel University London. Her great-grandfather was the lawyer, novelist and political activist Nares Chandra Sen-Gupta. She is of Bengali origin. Career Sarker has played a wide variety of roles ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
