Brian Regan (actor)

Last updated

Brian Regan
Born
Brian James Regan

(1957-10-02) 2 October 1957 (age 66)
Prescot, Lancashire, England
OccupationActor

Brian James Regan (born 2 October 1957 in Prescot, Lancashire [1] [2] ) is an English actor known for playing Terry Sullivan, one of the lead roles in the Channel 4 soap Brookside, during the 1980s and 1990s. He has also had small parts in other television series. In 1988, he won the Christmas special of Wheel of Fortune (series 1, episode 11).

Contents

On 12 April 2011, Regan was charged with the murder of a doorman in Liverpool and remanded in custody to await trial. He was cleared of the murder early the following year but was still imprisoned for nearly five years on a lesser charge.

Early life and career

Regan attended Yew Tree Comprehensive School in Dovecot. He trained as an actor at the Liverpool Playhouse and, in addition to his role in Brookside, has also appeared on television in The Bill , Paparazzo and Murphy's Mob. He also appeared in the early years of Sky TV's Soccer AM as 'The Cat'. [3]

He joined the cast of Brookside in 1982, first appearing in episode six. The character of Terry Sullivan was featured in some of the soap's most dramatic storylines, and he was a regular mainstay of the soap until he finally left the series in February 1997. He had previously left the show for a short time to move to London, where he pursued his acting career, but later rejoined.

Criminal charges

During the weekend of the 27 February 2011 he was questioned by police over the fatal shooting of a city bouncer, an Iranian Bahman Faraji, in Aigburth, Liverpool [4] and he was charged with murder on 12 April 2011. [5]

On 18 April he appeared by video-link at Liverpool Crown Court. Along with two other men, he was due to next appear on 8 July. [6]

He was also charged in late March 2011 with two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug and two counts of supplying a controlled drug, believed by local news press to relate to cocaine. [7]

On 25 January 2012, Regan was sentenced to 4 years and 10 months imprisonment for his role in the murder of Bahman Faraji in February 2011. He admitted driving the gunman to and from the scene of the murder but denied that he knew that they were carrying a sawn-off shotgun or that they intended to kill Faraji. Part of his sentence was for perverting the course of justice as he initially lied about his part in the murder by providing a false alibi. [8]

In 2019, he was seen back on screen in an episode of Moving On .

Related Research Articles

<i>Brookside</i> (TV series) British television soap opera (1982–2003)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Barber (actor)</span> English actor

Paul Barber is an English actor from Toxteth, Liverpool. In a career spanning more than 45 years, he is best known for playing Denzil in Only Fools and Horses and Horse in The Full Monty.

Gillian Louise Kearney is an English actress best known for her early role as Debbie McGrath in Channel 4's Liverpool-based soap opera Brookside and the spin-off mini-series Damon and Debbie, and for playing Jessica Harrison in the long-running BBC television medical drama series Casualty, as well as Emma Barton in the ITV Yorkshire-based soap opera Emmerdale. The role of Emma gained her recognition because of character's involvement in Emmerdale’s most high-profile storylines during her three-year stint.

Louis Emerick Grant is a British television actor, known for his role as Mick Johnson in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, as well as his appearances in the BBC soap opera Doctors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Corkhill</span> Soap opera character

Jimmy Corkhill is a fictional character from Brookside, played by Dean Sullivan, who joined the series in 1986. Jimmy originally appeared on a recurring basis appearing alongside his brother, Billy, before becoming a regular character, featured in major storylines, and remained in the show until its end 17 years later. He is cited as one of the show's most popular characters, and was the longest-featured character. Jimmy has often been cited as a lovable rogue by television critics.

Dean Sullivan was an English actor, best known for playing Jimmy Corkhill in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside between 1986 and 2003.

Paul Usher is an English actor. He is known for his roles as Barry Grant in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside and Des Taviner in the ITV drama The Bill. In 2019, he began appearing in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Danny Hardcastle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Grant</span> Soap opera character

Barry Grant is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Paul Usher. The character debuted on-screen during the first episode of Brookside, broadcast on 2 November 1982. Barry is one of the show's original characters and the only character to appear in the first and final episodes of Brookside. Usher decided to leave Brookside in 1984, but returned the following year and remained a regular cast member until 1995. He then returned for guest stints in 1997 and 2003. Actor Joe McGann was originally cast as Barry, but when McGann failed to gain an actors equity card, producers decided to recast the role to Usher. Barry is characterised as a "hard man" and constant law breaker. Writers transformed Barry into Brookside's long-standing villainous character. Despite his hard man characterisation, Barry has a special relationship with his mother Sheila Grant. He would do anything to protect Sheila and to the extent that it created problems with his father Bobby Grant.

Frank Rogers is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Peter Christian. The character made his first on-screen appearance during the episode broadcast 1 December 1987 and remained in the show for an additional six years, being killed off in the episode aired on 5 November 1993.

Michael "Mick" Johnson is a fictional character from the British soap opera Brookside, played by Louis Emerick. The character made his first appearance during the episode airing on 12 April 1989. He made his final appearance on 22 August 2001.

Terry Sullivan (<i>Brookside</i>) Fictional character in the soap opera Brookside

Terry Sullivan is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Brian Regan. One of the show's original characters, Terry debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 17 November 1982. Regan appeared in the show between 1982 and 1997. At the time of his departure, Regan was Brookside's longest serving cast member. Terry became one of Brookside's most iconic characters and was recognisable via his trademark curly permed hair and moustache. Terry also became known as one of soap opera's most unlucky characters because of his numerous storylines involving trauma, loss and heart-break. Writers created an on-screen partnership between Terry and Barry Grant. Their friendship is endured for their entire tenure. Their characterisation was the inspiration for the comedy sketches titled The Scousers, which appeared in the television show, Harry Enfield's Television Programme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack McMullen</span> English actor

Jack Michael McMullen is an English actor and writer, best known for his roles in Waterloo Road, Little Boy Blue, Brookside and Grange Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heather Haversham</span> Fictional character

Heather Haversham is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Amanda Burton. Heather is one of the show's original characters and debuted on-screen during the first episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Heather and her husband, Roger Huntington assume the roles of the show's young professional characters. Portrayed as yuppies, they work in accountancy and prioritise their careers over anything else. Writers characterised Heather ambitious and studious, determined to be a successful accountant. Another theme writers often used in developing Heather was heartbreak via her numerous failed romances. She transformed into an unlucky-in-love character with a failed marriage to Roger and hopeless relationships with Stuart Griffiths, Don Summerhill and Tom Curzon.

The Scousers was a regular series of sketches from the Harry Enfield's Television Programme BBC comedy show of the early 1990s. Each sketch began with "The Scousers" written in large yellow letters and a short parody version of the Brookside being played.

George Jackson (<i>Brookside</i>) Soap opera character

George Edward Jackson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Cliff Howells. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 2 February 1983. George was introduced as the brother-in-law of established character Petra Taylor, following the death of her husband, Gavin Taylor. Writers soon introduced viewers to the remainder of The Jackson family, including his wife Marie Jackson, their sons Little George Jackson, Gary Jackson and his sister-in-law Michelle Jones. George, a firefighter, is portrayed as a easygoing and unassuming.

Paul Collins (<i>Brookside</i>) Soap opera character

Paul Collins is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Jim Wiggins. One of the show's original characters, Paul debuted during the episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Wiggins was cast by Brookside creator Phil Redmond and Janet Goddard. Paul is introduced as the husband of Annabelle Collins and father to Gordon Collins and Lucy Collins. Paul is characterised as an unlucky character who has been made redundant from a lucrative management role. He is forced to move to a small house on Brookside Close and change his lifestyle. Writers made him appear as a product of a different generation and an ex-army officer who had a sense of discipline instilled in him. Wiggins has described Paul as "aloof" and "conservative", which made viewers unsympathetic to his plight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Gordon-Davies</span> Soap opera character

Jonathan Gordon-Davies is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Steven Pinner. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 6 April 1987. Pinner was cast in the series after a period of unemployment and he credited the role as being his saviour from depression. Jonathan is characterised as an upper class solicitor from a wealthy family in London. Writers created Jonathan alongside his fiancée Laura Wright. Together they represented the young urban professionals (yuppies) of 1980/1990s British society. The two characters move into number nine Brookside Close, the house previously occupied by similar upper class character Heather Haversham. Writers created a wedding story for them, which was broadcast on 11 August 1987 and commemorated the 500th episode of Brookside. Jonathan was portrayed at odds with his interfering father-in-law Geoff Wright. He would invite himself into Jonathan's home and perform DIY home improvements to Jonathan's chagrin. His faulty repair of a light switch causes Laura to electrocute herself and fall down some stairs. The story formed Cunliffe's departure from the series after less than one year on-screen. Laura was killed off in January 1988, but writers decided to develop Jonathan's character further.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Howe</span> Soap opera character

Simon Howe is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Lee Hartney. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 13 October 1993. Hartney received the role the day after he had auditioned for it. Simon is introduced as a new petrol pump attendant working in the local petrol station. Writers first portrayed him as being mild-mannered before revealing his true manipulative persona.

Events from 2011 in England

Kristopher Ian Mochrie is an English actor. He is known for his roles as Ali Gordon in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside (2002–2003), Jez in the BBC drama series Ordinary Lies (2015) and Lee Posner in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale (2019).

References

  1. "Search Results for England & Wales Births 1837-2006".
  2. Hayward 1996, p. 210
  3. "'Brookie Terry' Brian Regan's cocaine-fuelled fall from TV stardom to prison". 23 March 2012.
  4. "Former Brookside star Brian Regan quizzed by police in connection with Aigburth murder". Liverpool Echo. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  5. "Former Brookside star Brian Regan charged with murder". BBC News. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  6. Ceefax page 122
  7. "Former Brookside star Brian Regan charged with drug offences". Liverpool Echo. 29 March 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  8. "Brookside's Brian Regan jailed for Bahman Faraji murder lies". BBC News. BBC. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.