Claire Sweeney makes an 'emotional' return to Brookside as secrets of the iconic cul-de-sac are revealed - 21 years after soap came to an end
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Former Brookside star Claire Sweeney took a 'trip down memory lane' on Wednesday as she posed for an Instagram photo while visiting her old filming location in Liverpool.
The actress, 53, who played Lindsey Corkhill in the Channel 4 soap, revealed she was 'quite emotional' as she beamed for photos on the iconic street, which was sold to residents after the show ended.
The beloved soap opera was broadcast from 1982 until 2003 and followed the working class residents of Brookside Close, a real cul-de-sac located in the West Derby suburb of Liverpool.
Claire confirmed she had visited the filming location in her home city, more than two decades since the finale aired.
The singer looked incredible during the outing as she donned a plunging green patterned wrap dress which she teamed with a pair of flip flops.
Claire Sweeney took a 'trip down memory lane' on Wednesday as she posed for an Instagram photo while visiting her old filming location of Brookside
Claire, who found fame on the soap, revealed to social media followers that she had visited the filming location in her home city, more than two decades since the finale aired
In a second picture, Claire posed alongside her mum Kathleen before beaming for a photo outside her fictional family's house.
She penned: 'Was heading to West Derby today and decided to take a trip down memory lane. Went to Brookside Close where residents live now.
'Felt quite emotional. Spent 6 very happy years there playing Lindsey Corkhill. Loved Brooksie'.
In another post, Claire looked unrecognisable as she posed in the same spot '24 years early' as character Lindsey.
She wrote: 'Back in the day…. Same spot 24 years earlier'.
The set where Brookside Close was filmed was in a real cul-de-sac of newly-built houses.
The properties were sold at auction for £735,000 by Mersey Television in 2008 after lying vacant for years.
After being transformed as part of a luxury development, but retaining the character of the original screen set, the iconic 13 Brookside Close properties were sold in 2011.
Claire looked incredible during the outing in a plunging green patterned wrap dress as she posed alongside her mum Kathleen
The set where Brookside was filmed was a real cul-de-sac and was sold at auction by Mersey Television in 2008 after lying vacant for years (pictured in 2011)
The beloved soap opera was broadcast from 1982 until 2003 (Claire is pictured with former co-star Paul Usher)
Claire's outing comes after she admitted to being overcome with pride as she took to Instagram to congratulate her boyfriend last month.
Claire proved she is Ricky's biggest supporter as she gushed she was so proud of the sportsman after it was revealed he had earned his place in the Boxing Hall of Fame.
Sharing a video of Ricky speaking about the accolade, she wrote: 'So proud of you darling, flying to USA to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.'
'What an honour, and so deserved @rickyhitmanhatton' alongside a series of red heart emojis.
Speaking himself, Ricky said: 'Coming away I thought receiving awards were a thing of the past. To do what I did, I have great memories, I have an MBE and I thought that was me done, but to get the phone call about the Boxing Hall of Fame that was a proper shock that was.'
'I have also just thought of myself as a local guy from Hattersley estate... I always try to keep my feet on the ground and stay humble which is why I get embarrassed talking about stuff like this.'
'I accept this award with everyone who has worked with me.... There are too many people I could mention and all the fans that have supported me.'
Claire and Ricky hit it off after they both appeared on Dancing On Ice back in January and last month they returned from a romantic trip to Tenerife together.
Ricky revealed the pair still get on 'like a house on fire' after the couple returned from their holiday.
When asked by The Sun how their holiday went, Ricky replied: 'It was great! Claire is like me, I’ve met someone who I get on with like a house on fire.'
'She is just like me. We spend our whole time laughing together. Claire is just like me - she’s so down to earth.'
Claire's outing comes after she admitted to being overcome with pride as she took to Instagram to congratulate her boyfriend last month (pictured in April)
Claire proved she is Ricky's biggest supporter as she gushed she was so proud of the sportsman after it was revealed he had earned his place in the Boxing Hall of Fame
Speaking about the accolade himself, Ricky said: 'I accept this award with everyone who has worked with me.... There are too many people I could mention and all the fans that have supported me' (pictured in 2001)
'She would never turn a picture down with a fan and she’s always got time for people. That’s what I really like about her. We’ve just been having good fun.'
Their sun-soaked getaway came just weeks after they made their red carpet debut in Manchester.
An insider revealed recently that Claire is also planning to introduce Ricky to her family, including her nine-year-old son Jaxon.
A source told MailOnline: 'Claire and Ricky have become really close. She wasn't looking for a relationship but then Ricky came along and it just felt right and natural and she's really happy.'
'She signed up for a reality TV show and met a great guy so it feels a bit like winning the lottery, and she's really counting her blessings as it all came from nowhere and often that's the best way.'
'She's now really looking forward to introducing Ricky to her family and friends soon and they are really looking forward to the guy who has put a smile on Claire's face.'
A source told the Mirror: 'The chemistry was electric. Ricky went out of the show early on but he contacted her afterwards and let’s say he started wooing her.'
'They’ve been out on several dates. Saturday was just one in a long line of them. They’ve been seeing each other quite a bit. He is completely besotted.'
Claire and Ricky hit it off after they both appeared on Dancing On Ice back in January and last month they returned from a romantic trip to Tenerife together
'It seems like an unlikely match but he’s always had a way with women. They fall for his personality, and Claire has. He knows her number one priority is her son so they are being very careful. Let’s watch this space.'
On Dancing On Ice, Ricky was paired with female skater Robin Johnstone and was sadly the first to be eliminated.
Claire was paired with male skater Colin Grafton and followed Ricky just two weeks later, the third celebrity eliminated. However, it wasn't all bad news as Ricky had already begun pursuing her.
Prior to Ricky, Claire hadn't been on a date since Christmas 2023 and joked she may be following in her grandmother's footsteps - Claire alleges she didn't find love until she was 86.
Her last long-term romance was with Daniel Reilly, the father of son Jaxon, and they split in 2017.
