nickname

Brookside icon Tinhead is returning to the famous close for a one-off episode twinned with Hollyoaks, and actor Philip Olivier has opened up about the character’s nickname.

Brookside legend Tinhead is making a comeback to the renowned close for a special one-off episode alongside Hollyoaks.

Both beloved Channel 4 dramas were created by Grange Hill mastermind Sir Philip Redmond, with Brookside subsequently inspiring the development of Chester-set Hollyoaks.

To celebrate Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary, the shows are joining forces for a landmark crossover episode, with Philip Olivier returning to his memorable role as Tinhead.

Tim “Tinhead” O’Leary made his debut in 1996 as the offspring of Carmel and Tommy O’Leary, portraying a wayward pupil at Brookside Comprehensive High School.

Throughout his storyline, Tinhead formed an intricate relationship with beloved character Sinbad, portrayed by Michael Starke, who served as a mentor figure for the rebellious youngster, reports the Manchester Evening News.

However, Tinhead was compelled to transform his ways following a devastating incident that nearly claimed his sister Melanie’s life.

His future seemed promising when romance blossomed with Emily, portrayed by Jennifer Ellison, and the couple wed in 2001.

Yet marital happiness wasn’t destined for the pair.

Following further involvement in unlawful activities, Emily perished during a burglary in 2002, leaving Tinhead bereaved at a young age.

Philip Olivier, 45, last appeared as Tinhead in November 2003 when Brookside broadcast its concluding episode.

However, over two decades later, he’s reprising his role as Timothy O’Leary, alongside Suzanne Collins as Nikki Shadwick, for a special Hollyoaks and Brookside episode.

How did Tinhead earn his nickname?

Despite the character’s actual name being Timothy, soap fans will recognise him by his unusual moniker.

Ahead of the rebooted episode, Olivier shed light on how his character acquired the nickname, revealing it was purely coincidental.

The actor shared: “There was a pretty rough school in my area with a really hard kid who everyone knew as Tinhead. This was before I got the part. The name was spray-painted on the side of a building near the school.

“I know a lot of Brookside writers used to live round that area so they must’ve drove past and remembered the name. People thought I’d suggested it but it was a coincidence.”

Olivier also disclosed that he had initially auditioned for a different role in the show before landing the part of the teenage troublemaker.

He elaborated: “Originally, I went up to play the character of Danny Simpson, then ended up playing the kid that bullied him at school.

“I auditioned for Danny then got a call a month later about this character called ‘Tinhead’.”

The Brookside and Hollyoaks crossover episode airs on Wednesday (October 22) at 7pm on E4.

MELANIE C lives up to her Sporty Spice nickname as she poses in a series of workout snaps.

The toned Spice Girl, 51, wore a leotard and red boots to help launch her new music.

Speaking of her dance single Sweat, she wrote: “I’m so happy this track is finally all yours. Dance to it. Run to it. Lift to it. SWEAT to it.”

Mel, real name Chisholm, has a gig lined up next year at London’s O2 Academy Brixton.

Mel C issued a sweet message to her Spice Girls bandmate Mel B after she missed her lavish London wedding in July

The popstar was absent from Mel’s happy day at St Paul’s Cathedral on Saturday, which saw Emma Bunton, 49, the sole other girl group member in attendance.

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New bride Mel, 50, sealed her wedding to groom Rory McPhee with a kiss outside the architectural landmark.

The Wannabe singer stunned in a gown adorned with dazzling pearl detail around the collar and sleeves and a long flowing veil as she stepped out of the iconic venue.

She uploaded a snap showing the happy couple together with the words: “So so happy for you both and beyond gutted I couldn’t be there.

“Excited to celebrate with you really soon. Yipee!”

In her next slide, Mel showcased a snap of her performing in Stockholm, Sweden.

She added the words: “Bit of a soggy one last night.”

COLE Palmer has trademarked his nickname and celebration after a French vineyard forced him to abandon the right to sell his own brand of wine.

The Chelsea and England star won exclusive legal rights to the term “Cold Palmer” as well as his “shivering” goal celebration.

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It comes after Chateau Palmer, which sells bottles of wine for as much as £750, opposed his bid to flog plonk — and won their case in August.

But, on Friday, the 23-year-old won the right to brand an array of other products, including snacks, mobile phone covers, toys, Christmas crackers and even teddy bears.

This essentially means nobody can use Palmer’s “Cold” nickname for commercial use without his permission.

He has also successfully trademarked his autograph.

An article in The Athletic detailed how the Intellectual Property Office approved the application made by the footballer’s private company, Palmer Management Limited.

In August, winemaker Chateau Palmer, based near Bordeaux, opposed the initial application.

In response to this, Palmer amended the application in September to drop any reference to wine, paving the way for the successful application.

It still covers a range of other alcoholic beverages, such as spirits, liqueurs and alcoholic energy drinks.

The winery was founded in 1814 when Army officer Charles Palmer bought the estate.

Royal wine merchant Berry Bros & Rudd says: “At their best, the wines of Ch. Palmer are among the greatest anywhere in Bordeaux.”

A bottle of its Cru Classé Margaux from 1970 is priced at £750.

Speaking to The Athletic, Karen Lee, an intellectual property lawyer at Edwin Coe, said: “Once you have a registered trademark in place, it is much easier to enforce your rights against third parties.

“Anyone using something that’s the same or similar can amount to an infringement. And that’s when it can lead to High Court litigation, which can be very expensive.”

Palmer has made no secret about the celebration not being his own original work. 

He previously admitted how, following his time in the Manchester City academy, he was inspired to perform the celebration by then team-mate Morgan Rogers. 

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Aston Villa star Rogers, was accused of copying the celebration when he scored against Chelsea in April 2024, before he clarified: “It’s the opposite, I did it first, he copied me.”

Speaking of his celebration in a previous interview with The Telegraph, Cole said: “It symbolises joy, passion and hard determination for the game, plus it’s funny as it works well with my name.

“Everyone knows it’s my celebration. Lots of people might have done it (before me), but everybody knows it is my celebration.”

However, this could mean that Chelsea has to register for a licence if the London club wants to use his nickname in promotional material.

EA, the company behind the EA Sports FC series of video games, might also have to ask permission to use his celebration in future games.

Other footballers who have trademarked their names and celebrations include David Beckham and  Cristiano Ronaldo, who trademarked his name, CR7 initials and “Siuuu” celebration.

Lionel Messi also trademarked his surname after a legal challenge from the cycling brand Massi.

Some other stars have managed to have their brand made exclusive in specific countries, including Marcus Rashford with his name in the United States, Erling Haaland  with his signature and goal celebration in his native Norway.

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MARCUS RASHFORD has been given a sweet new nickname by his Barcelona team-mates – but admits he has no idea what it means.

The 27-year-old star opened about the motivation behind his season-long loan move away from Manchester United in a tell-all front page interview with Spanish newspaper Sport.

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Rashford left his boyhood club last month after being frozen out to Ruben Amorim‘s five-man ‘Bomb squad’ alongside Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.

After finally being registered to play in LaLiga, and making his league debut from the bench in a 3-0 win over Mallorca last Saturday, Rashford now faces the difficult task that all non-Spanish speaking players encounter at Barcelona or Real Madrid – learning the language.

A willingness to pick up Spanish is often essential for getting the fans on side, which could help the club decide to activate their £26million option to buy before next summer’s World Cup in the USA.

And Rashford, who has already scored a pre-season goal, has picked up a bizarre – but comical – new nickname after trying to get to grips with Español.

The England winger told Sport: “When they’re having fun among themselves, they call me ‘sweetie’ [‘chuche’].

“I don’t know what it means, but it’s funny to be spoken to like that.

“But I’m trying to learn Spanish. I think it’s important for me to learn as soon as possible. So it’s stimulating. You’re always learning and that’s good.

“Catalan is difficult. I suppose that while I’m here, I’ll learn a little and hope it will help me understand more about Catalan culture.”

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Rashford later admitted that he escaped Old Trafford to be “happy” after being shunned from the squad in December by Amorim after a clash of personalities.

On why he left United, who he joined at the age of seven, Rashford said: “I need to be happy to play my best football. 

“For me personally, football is my life. It’s been my life since I was very, very young.

“Actually, I don’t know anything else. So the bond I have, not only with my career but with sport in general, is huge and I don’t expect it to go away. 

“But it’s always good to be happy when you play football. It’s the reason I started this.”

Rashford has endured a testing couple of years under former gaffer Erik ten Hag and more recently Amorim, who informed the forward he was no longer part of his plans at the start of the summer transfer window.

A month after arriving from Sporting, Amorim dropped Rashford for United’s 2-1 win at rivals Manchester City on December 15, citing the academy graduate’s inability to adapt to his training methods.

After a fruitful six-month loan stint at Aston Villa, Rashford openly confessed he is now “comfortable” at reigning LaLiga champions Barca as he looks to get back to his very best in front of goal.

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The South Manchester-born star has clearly bonded with his new team-mates, particularly with Lamine Yamal, the youngest Ballon d’Or front-runner, who recently turned 18.

Rashford said: “Lamine is the most talented player I’ve played with at this age. I’ve seen few with the impact he has. 

“Maybe Ronaldo, ‘the phenomenon’. He can already be a Ballon d’Or winner.”

Rashford took a salary cut to join Barca, who have agreed to cover his wages for the next year, but if Hansi Flick‘s club send him back to United in a year’s time, he could be forced to see out the remainder of his contract which expires in 2028.