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Brookside was a soap opera introduced with the new British television channel, Channel 4. It became well known for its tackling of realistic and socially challenging storylines. In the 1990s it began raising more controversial and sensitive issues under the guidance of new producers such as Mal Young. It is especially well-known for broadcasting the first pre- watershed lesbian kiss on British television in 1994.1 Background
Brookside, based in a cul-de-sac in Liverpool, first appeared in 1982 with the launch of the fourth British terrestrial channel, Channel 4. It differed from other soap operas because it was filmed in real houses in a real street, in an attempt by the producers to add to the show's realism. In the mid 1980s it attracted its highest viewing figure of 8 million people with a plot involving a deranged killer. Conceived by Phil Redmond , who also devised Grange Hill, the soap was set to become Britain's gritty soap, with other compelling and challenging story lines.
In June 2003 Channel 4 announced the demise of the soap due to falling ratings and the final episode was screened on November 4 2003. The houses used as locations for the show are still in existance and can often be seen in Hollyoaks, another Channel 4 soap.
2 In real life
Brookside is a lane in Garden City, near the Welsh border.
3 External link
Soap operas
Channel 4 television programmes
