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The Irish Sun

Brookside legend swaps soaps to join huge BBC show – and has already filmed his first scenes

A BROOKSIDE legend has swapped soaps to join a huge BBC show - and already filmed his first scenes. The iconic Liverpool-set soap aired on Channel 4 from 1982 until ending in 2003. Advertisement 4 Michael Starke is well-known as "Sinbad" Sweeney on Brookside Credit: PA:Press Association 4 He starred in the Channel 4 soap for 16 years Credit: Mersey Television 4 Michael has now signed up for a role in Casualty Credit: BBC Michael Starke, 67, played Thomas "Sinbad" Sweeney for a 16-year stint. The actor has signed up to play a role in BBC medical drama Casualty. He has already filmed his first scenes on the long-running programme. Nicola Bolton Management, who represent Michael, wrote on Instagram: " Our MICHAEL STARKE @michael_starke_ has been busy down in Cardiff filming on @bbccasualtyofficial @bbc #casualty." Advertisement Read more on Brookside However, it's not the first time he has ventured into other major soap operas. Michael joined the cast of Coronation Street in 2007 - playing Jerry Morton , the patriarch of a new family. Viewers may recall his character opened up a kebab shop upon moving to the cobbles. The Morton clan were short-lived and he left the ITV soap after 18 months. Advertisement Most read in Soaps Exclusive Exclusive Michael has also made appearances in Hollyoaks as a taxi driver named Benny. It comes as another Brookside alum revealed Brookside child star from one of soap's most controversial storylines EVER unrecognisable after swapping acting for DJ career Soap hunk Philip Olivier is best known for his role as Brookside's Timothy "Tinhead" O'Leary. He is a managing director of Advertisement Philip has successfully transitioned into an entrepreneurial role as the owner and has gained a 5-star rating on The 44-year-old is also a proud dad of five children. The star also revealed that the locals still call him 'Tinhead' when he's out and about in Liverpool . He said: "When I'm going around the city and around the world, people are still calling me Tinhead. Advertisement "When I started when I was 15, I never would have thought I'd be 42 and people still call me Tinhead." 4 Michael left Brookside in 2000 - and made appearances in other popular shows Credit: Mersey Television