Tim O'Leary

Tim O'Leary
Brookside and Hollyoaks character
Portrayed byPhilip Olivier
Duration1996–2003, 2025–present
First appearance22 May 1996
(Brookside)
22 October 2025
(Hollyoaks)
Last appearance4 November 2003
(Brookside)
ClassificationPresent; regular
Created byPhil Redmond
Spin-off
appearances
Brookside: Unfinished Business (2003)
Crossover
appearances
Hollyoaks (2025)
In-universe information
Other namesTinhead
Timothy O'Leary
MotherCarmel O'Leary
BrothersBen O'Leary
SistersMelanie O'Leary
WifeEmily Shadwick (2001–2003)

Tim "Tinhead" O'Leary is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera's Brookside and Hollyoaks, played by Philip Olivier. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 22 May 1996. Tim remained on-screen until the final episode of the series in 2003. Tim subsequently appeared in a video spin-off, Brookside: Unfinished Business. Olivier returned as Tim in a 2025 Brookside and Hollyoaks crossover episode as part of latter series’ thirtieth Anniversary. Olivier continued to appear in the role during Hollyoaks episodes broadcast in January 2026 when the show had him enter into a relationship with Liberty Savage (Jessamy Stoddart) as well as having links to gangster character Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas).