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Back in the '80s, they were the nation's darlings, their love story captivating millions of viewers. However, the tale of Brookside's Damon Grant and Debbie McGrath ended in a heart-wrenching tragedy when he was brutally murdered.

As soap fans gear up for the return of some of Brookside's most beloved characters in the Hollyoaks/Brookside crossover episode to celebrate the former's 30th anniversary, they can also tune into the mini spin-off series that left Channel 4 viewers 'in bits'.

Damon and Debbie is the iconic three-part 'soap-bubble' aired in 1987, tracing the journey of two of Brookside's most adored characters, teenage sweethearts Damon (Simon O'Brien) and Debbie (Gillian Kearney), as they fled to York to evade their disapproving parents in Liverpool who objected to their relationship due to the class divide between them.

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Damon, the youngest son of two of Brookside's most popular characters Bobby Grant (Ricky Tomlinson) and wife Sheila (Sue Johnston), struggled to find work but fell head over heels for schoolgirl Debbie.

The mini-series about their whirlwind romance included a 'mock' marriage in a hotel room before Damon was savagely stabbed by an unknown attacker on a dark riverbank, dying in Debbie's arms, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Damon's funeral drew an audience of 7 million viewers and his death led to the fragmentation of the Grant family.

Nearly four decades later, viewers can catch the mini series again on STV Player, and Brookside's Facebook page was swamped with reactions when a snap from the tear-jerking Damon and Debbie episodes was shared.

One viewer wrote: "OMG broke my heart when Damon died."

Another posted: "Absolutely loving watching Brookside all over again and remembered there being no spoilers back in the day. Nothing could have prepared us for Damon's death."

A third supporter remarked: "Omg .... soaps have been amazing. But this storyline outnumbers any corrie , emmerdale or eastenders. Amazing but real. This was an amazing soap."

Someone else revealed: "18th November, 1987 I cried and cried and cried. Firstly I loved him and wanted to marry him (I was 13) but secondly (sure it's not a spoiler) ~ Damon's death! !"

A fifth declared: "I'm not prepared for this episode again."

And: "Omg I loved this. I so wanted to be. Debbie hahahah. Damon was my crush."

Damon and Debbie is available to stream on STV Player