Latest news with #MichaelStarke
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Legendary TV star ‘busy' as he joins Casualty
Soap actor Michael Starke has joined the cast of Casualty in a guest role. The star, best known for his role as Thomas 'Sinbad' Sweeney in Channel 4's Brookside, is set to appear in the medical drama later this year. Michael has previously featured in the show, appearing as a guest in four episodes between 2000 and 2018. In Brookside, Michael's character Sinbad worked as a window cleaner. He was made a regular in 1990, with the star leaving the show in 2000, a few years before the axing. In 2007, the star played Jerry Morton in Coronation Street. He has also briefly appeared in Holby City, Hollyoaks and Doctors. Not much is known about Michael's latest Casualty role at the moment, but his management company have confirmed the role, saying on Instagram that he's 'been busy' at the studios in Wales. The drama was recently put out to competitive tendering, a process that will decide which producer makes the show, though the BBC will retain all the rights for the programme. While this development won't impact the future of the medical drama, it will change the foundations of the series. Casualty is set in the Emergency Department of Holby City Hospital, but this won't be the case once the new production company take over. It means the ED will be set in Wales, rather than the fictional city of Holby. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! In an official document from the broadcaster, there is hope the show will 'evolve into Welsh portrayal while maintaining the core attraction to the loyal fan base'. The contract asks tenderers to include 'authentic representation of Wales and reflect the reality of the Welsh NHS'. 'This is not about radical change of the show, although the move to Welsh portrayal will mean a new fictional hospital based in Wales, and tenderers will need to address this core change in their editorial pitch to the evaluation panel. View More » 'The successful tenderer will need to be able to demonstrate how to incorporate Welsh portrayal and maintain familiarity at the same time.' MORE: BBC drama scoring rave reviews hailed 'Queer as Folk for new generation' MORE: Gary Lineker agrees deal with new broadcaster after controversial BBC exit MORE: Completely free streaming service adds 'bingeable' new drama perfect for Pride Month
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Brookside star joins Casualty and is already filming scenes
Michael Starke, who played the role of Thomas "Sinbad" Sweeney on the long-running show, is now a cast member for Casualty. The 67-year-old is understood to have already started filming for the medical drama, news that is sure to excite soap fans across the UK. Brookside star Michael Starke signs up for Casualty and has already started filming According to The Sun, Nicola Bolton Management, Michael's representatives, said on Instagram: "Our MICHAEL STARKE @michael_starke_ has been busy down in Cardiff filming on @bbccasualtyofficial @bbc #casualty." This isn't the first time the actor has taken part in other soaps, as he took on the role of Jerry Morton in Coronation Street all the way back in 2007. During his stint on the ITV programme, his character opened up a kebab shop, but left the show after only 18 months. He has also appeared in other shows like Hollyoaks on Channel 4. What was Brookside all about, and when was it axed? According to IMDb , Brookside was a Liverpool-based soap opera which followed the "everyday life and times of the residents, friends, and enemies who live in the fictional suburban street of Brookside Close". The show aired for a staggering 21 years from 1982 until 2003, and is widely considered a classic among fans of British drama. Channel 4 has described the drama as a "ground-breaking" show which dealt with a range of controversial issues, including child abuse, murder, suicide and adultery. Recommended Reading: Brookside came to an end after suffering from declining ratings, shifting channel policies and a perceived decline in creative quality. Many die-hard fans have also blamed this decline on constant changes to the drama's scheduling and the shift to more sensationalist stories later in its run. Casualty can be watched and streamed on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The 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. 4 4 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." 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. Michael has also made appearances in Hollyoaks as a taxi driver named Benny. It comes as another Brookside alum revealed his real-life job - and its worlds away from the show. 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 Liverpool City Sights, a thriving bus tour business. Philip has successfully transitioned into an entrepreneurial role as the owner and has gained a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor. 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. "When I started when I was 15, I never would have thought I'd be 42 and people still call me Tinhead." 4
