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Brookside child star is STILL acting 22 years after appearing in the iconic soap - here's the other shows he's starred in since
One of Brookside's most iconic child stars is still acting 22 years after his role in the famous soap, which is set for a surprise return this autumn.
Jack McMullen, now 34, made his name over two decades ago when he played Josh McLoughlin in the soap.
His character was born after a one-night stand between Mike Dixon (Paul Byatt) and his stepmother, Bev (Sarah White).
Things turned messy when Ron Dixon (Vince Earl) wanted to adopt the youngster, but his son Mike prevented it, with Ron and Bev tying the knot before leaving the famous road for a new life with Josh.
After waving goodbye to the soap in 2003, young star Jack has carved out a successful acting career with a vast range of television roles.
He landed the role of Tigger Johnson in the iconic kids' show Grange Hill, which he starred in for four years.
Two years later, he landed another part in a major drama, this time as Finn Sharkey in Waterloo Road.
In more recent years, he's starred in hard-hitting roles such as the jail drama Time, and the heartbreaking ITV series Little Boy Blue.
Earlier this year, Jack starred as Jamie Phelan in the hit BBC drama This City Is Ours opposite Sean Bean and James Nelson-Joyce.
In 2023, he also played Lewis in the Apple TV series Hijack, which stars Idris Elba in the main role.
On Saturday, Channel 4 announced that Brookside will be returning to screens for a historic crossover episode as part of Hollyoaks' 30th Anniversary celebrations.
The soap, set in Liverpool, chronicled the lives of characters living in 13 houses on a cul-de-sac called Brookside Close.
And while its unclear if Jack will reprise his role, fans can expect some of its big names to return for the one-off episode.
Executive Producer Hannah Cheers told the publication: 'This episode is a love letter to both Hollyoaks and Brookside.
'Brookside gave birth to Hollyoaks — it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets.
'For everyone at Lime Pictures (originally Mersey TV), Hollyoaks' history is deeply rooted in Brookside, and its legacy lives on through our crew and, of course, some of our cast.'
Brookside originally aired on the first day that Channel 4 was broadcast on November 2 in 1982 and proved an instant hit with viewers.
Fan favourites included Bobby and Sheila and Grant, played by Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston.
The show launched the careers of many industry heavyweights including Anna Friel, Amanda Burton and Claire Sweeney.
At its peak, the show drew in audiences of nine million viewers before it came to a close on November 4 2003.
Across its run, the show took on issues such as LGBT+ and hard hitting storylines like rape, bullying and incest.
In 1985, teenage character Gordon Collins came out to his family as gay on the soap.
The character, played by both Mark Burgess and Nigel Crowley, became the first ever openly gay character in a British TV series when the episode aired.
Brookside also had the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss in British history between characters Beth Jordache, played by Anna Friel, and Margaret Clemence, who was portrayed by future Emmerdale actress Nicola Stephenson.
Anna's career has taken her to America where she has appeared in the comedy series Pushing Daisies, opposite Susan Sarandon in country music drama Monarch and alongside Bradley Cooper in the film Limitless.
Silent Witness actress Amanda, Hollyoaks actress Alex Fletcher, and West End musical star Claire Sweeney also began their careers on the soap.
