Sue Johnston delivered a perfect tribute to Dean Sullivan as the legendary actor was laid to rest today.
The soap icon, renowned for his role as Jimmy Corkhill in Brookside, died last month aged 68. Friends and family gathered at Liverpool Parish Church on Tuesday afternoon to pay their respects in a moving service.
Sue was one of many Brookside stars in attendance at the funeral as she was joined by castmates including Sue Jenkins, Claire Sweeney, Louis Emerick and Michael Starke. The 80-year-old, who played Sheila Grant in the classic Merseyside soap, enjoyed a close bond off the screen with Dean and was privileged to be asked by his family to deliver a special address.
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She honoured his memory by delivering a powerful, spoken word rendition of In My Life by The Beatles before she ended the emotional address with a final message to Dean. The Royle Family star said: "Goodbye darling. Sleep well."
Sue spoke to the ECHO after the funeral and explained how honoured she was to have been a part of the service. She said: "I was more nervous than I ever am at work because I had to get it right for Dean. I know he'd have liked it because he loved the words to that song. I think they stand on their own."
Sue and Dean had been close friends for 40 years and she reflected on their close bond as she said: "We spent every Christmas together for the last 20 years and he did the eulogy at my mother's funeral which was the best eulogy you could ever want to hear.
"He was Mr Showbiz and I loved him for it." Sue was full of praise of Dean's family and said they arranged a perfect send off to the Merseyside icon. She said: "It was simple, beautiful and slightly theatrical. He would have loved every element of it."
Dean's coffin arrived at the church in a horse-drawn carriage with a floral tribute reading "Deano" and the service ended with a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone from choir, Sing Me Merseyside. The most emotional moment came when Dean's sister, Joy Boyce, brought the room to tears with a moving eulogy that perfectly encapsulated her brother's legacy and why he meant so much to so many.
Joy told the story of how her brother channelled his passion for the arts to become a beloved drama teacher and then a legendary actor, who will never be forgotten. She said: "You will always remain a shining light, centre stage in our hearts forever. Rest in peace my wonderful dearest brother."
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