Ron Dixon (Brookside)
Encyclopedia
Ronald William "Ron" Dixon is a fictional character in the British soap opera, Brookside
, played by Vince Earl
from 1990 until the final episode in 2003, during which time he was involved in several major storylines.
He divorced his first wife "DD" shortly after arriving in Brookside Close. He then became engaged to Bev McLoughlin and in December 1993 she gave birth to a son called Josh, but they split up a few months later after she revealed that Josh wasn't his son. He was actually Ron's grandson and the son of Ron's son Mike.
In early November of that year, Ron's 14-year-old son Tony was left in a coma after fracturing his skull in a car crash which had claimed the life of Frank Rogers. Frank had crashed after swerved to avoid an oncoming car which was being driven recklessly by neighbour, Jimmy Corkhill
. Tony never regained full consciousness and died in February 1994. Jimmy broke down at Tony's funeral, confessing to Ron at the graveside that he was driving the car while high on cocaine
.
Ron later married teenage sweetheart Anthea Brindley who had revealed to him that he was the father of her daughter, Megan. In December 2000, only a few days before Christmas, his life was hit by another tragedy when his son Mike was badly injured in a car crash caused by neighbour Tim O'Leary
, who had fled the scene after crashing the stolen car that he had been driving. Mike suffered spinal injuries and was unable to walk for six months.
In May 2001, after a succession of robberies at his house, Ron finally snapped and bought a gun off Sotto, an acquaintance of Tim O'Leary
, which he eventually used on a burglar who had entered his house. The burglar was Clint Moffat, the brother of his daughter Jacqui's boyfriend, Robbie. Ron was charged with his murder. He was released on bail but following his trial Ron was incarcerated for nine months, four of which he served for possessing a firearm. After the verdict, Anthea left Ron and the close.
In 2003, Ron married Bev and in the final episode, Ron, Bev, Josh and Chloe moved away from the close. His final words on the programme were telling Jimmy he hoped he never saw him again.
. Like many of the neighbours he despised Jack Michaelson
and was assaulted by him in 2003.
was involved in the death of his son, he had an ongoing feud with him. The two however reconciled when Ron's son Mike and Jimmy's daughter Lindsay were arrested in Bangkok
after drugs are planted in Lindsay's daughter's teddy bear. Later on, Ron has an affair with Jimmy's wife, Jackie. Jackie leaves Ron after Jimmy's son is killed by drug dealers.
In 2003 in his wedding speech, Ron says he has now realised that the man responsible for his son's death (Jimmy) is not a callous killer.
and Chrissy Rogers
and Conservative Paul Collins)
his beliefs aren't fervent, Ron often makes off-the-cuff right wing political remarks as a reaction to something he has heard. In the series he has supported taxing the poor more than the rich to incentivise hard work, bring back hanging, arming the police and claiming that nobody is truly addicted to anything. His outbursts are usually treated with bemusement by others. During the siege he claimed that hanging would deter the criminals from shooting their victims to which Bev pointed out that no deterent stopped him from 'pulling the trigger' when he shot an intruder.
Brookside
Brookside is a defunct British soap opera set in Liverpool, England. The series began on the launch night of Channel 4 on 2 November 1982, and ran for 21 years until 4 November 2003...
, played by Vince Earl
Vince Earl
Vince 'Mark' Earl Vince 'Mark' Earl Vince 'Mark' Earl (born 11 June 1944 in Birkenhead, Cheshire (now in Merseyside) is an English singer, comedian and actor most famous for his portrayal of the character Ron Dixon in the soap opera Brookside....
from 1990 until the final episode in 2003, during which time he was involved in several major storylines.
He divorced his first wife "DD" shortly after arriving in Brookside Close. He then became engaged to Bev McLoughlin and in December 1993 she gave birth to a son called Josh, but they split up a few months later after she revealed that Josh wasn't his son. He was actually Ron's grandson and the son of Ron's son Mike.
In early November of that year, Ron's 14-year-old son Tony was left in a coma after fracturing his skull in a car crash which had claimed the life of Frank Rogers. Frank had crashed after swerved to avoid an oncoming car which was being driven recklessly by neighbour, Jimmy Corkhill
Jimmy Corkhill
James 'Jimmy' Corkhill is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Dean Sullivan. He joined the series in 1986, originally arriving in a recurring basis appearing along side his on-screen brother, Billy Corkhill, he then became a regular, remaining in the...
. Tony never regained full consciousness and died in February 1994. Jimmy broke down at Tony's funeral, confessing to Ron at the graveside that he was driving the car while high on cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
.
Ron later married teenage sweetheart Anthea Brindley who had revealed to him that he was the father of her daughter, Megan. In December 2000, only a few days before Christmas, his life was hit by another tragedy when his son Mike was badly injured in a car crash caused by neighbour Tim O'Leary
Tim O'Leary
Timothy "Tinhead" O'Leary is a fictional character in the defunct Channel 4 soap opera Brookside. He was portrayed by Philip Olivier from 1996 until the final episode of the series in 2003. Tim subsequently appeared in a video spin-off, Brookside: Unfinished Business.-Introduction:Tinhead made his...
, who had fled the scene after crashing the stolen car that he had been driving. Mike suffered spinal injuries and was unable to walk for six months.
In May 2001, after a succession of robberies at his house, Ron finally snapped and bought a gun off Sotto, an acquaintance of Tim O'Leary
Tim O'Leary
Timothy "Tinhead" O'Leary is a fictional character in the defunct Channel 4 soap opera Brookside. He was portrayed by Philip Olivier from 1996 until the final episode of the series in 2003. Tim subsequently appeared in a video spin-off, Brookside: Unfinished Business.-Introduction:Tinhead made his...
, which he eventually used on a burglar who had entered his house. The burglar was Clint Moffat, the brother of his daughter Jacqui's boyfriend, Robbie. Ron was charged with his murder. He was released on bail but following his trial Ron was incarcerated for nine months, four of which he served for possessing a firearm. After the verdict, Anthea left Ron and the close.
In 2003, Ron married Bev and in the final episode, Ron, Bev, Josh and Chloe moved away from the close. His final words on the programme were telling Jimmy he hoped he never saw him again.
Feuds
Throughout his time on Brookside Close, Ron Dixon was often an unpopular man. He also had many petty feuds with neighbour Max FarnhamMax Farnham
-Background:Max Farnham arrived on Brookside Close in 1990 with wife Patricia and son Thomas. He had previously been married to Susannah and had two children, Matthew and Emily, from his first marriage. The marriage had broken up as a result of his affair with Patricia.Max's marriage to Patricia...
. Like many of the neighbours he despised Jack Michaelson
Jack Michaelson
Jack Michaelson is a character in Channel 4 soap Brookside played by Paul Duckworth for the final three episodes in October and November 2003...
and was assaulted by him in 2003.
Ron and Jimmy
Ever since Jimmy CorkhillJimmy Corkhill
James 'Jimmy' Corkhill is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Dean Sullivan. He joined the series in 1986, originally arriving in a recurring basis appearing along side his on-screen brother, Billy Corkhill, he then became a regular, remaining in the...
was involved in the death of his son, he had an ongoing feud with him. The two however reconciled when Ron's son Mike and Jimmy's daughter Lindsay were arrested in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
after drugs are planted in Lindsay's daughter's teddy bear. Later on, Ron has an affair with Jimmy's wife, Jackie. Jackie leaves Ron after Jimmy's son is killed by drug dealers.
In 2003 in his wedding speech, Ron says he has now realised that the man responsible for his son's death (Jimmy) is not a callous killer.
Politics
Ron is one of the few politicised characters in the later years. Although unlike socialist Bobby GrantBobby Grant
Bobby Grant is a fictional character from British soap opera, Brookside played by Ricky Tomlinson. Bobby appeared in Brookside from the first episode in 1982 until the character's departure in 1988...
and Chrissy Rogers
Chrissy Rogers
Chrissy Rogers is a fictional character in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside played by Eithne Brown from 1987 to 1991. She was married to Frank Rogers and left in 1991 on the collapse on their marriage, but briefly returned two years later after Frank's death.-Character:Chrissy was a fairly...
and Conservative Paul Collins)
Paul Collins (Brookside)
Paul Collins was a character in Brookside played by Jim Wiggins between 1982 and 1990.-The Collins family:The Collins family moved into Brookside Close during the first episode, having bought Number 8...
his beliefs aren't fervent, Ron often makes off-the-cuff right wing political remarks as a reaction to something he has heard. In the series he has supported taxing the poor more than the rich to incentivise hard work, bring back hanging, arming the police and claiming that nobody is truly addicted to anything. His outbursts are usually treated with bemusement by others. During the siege he claimed that hanging would deter the criminals from shooting their victims to which Bev pointed out that no deterent stopped him from 'pulling the trigger' when he shot an intruder.