Thomas Sweeney, commonly known as Sinbad, is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Michael Starke.

Sinbad was originally only supposed to feature in a couple of episodes but continued to appear on a recurring basis until Starke was promoted to the show's regular cast in 1990.

[2] Producers kept Starke as part of the show's recurring cast and he continued in the role for five years until he decided he wanted better job security.

When Mal Young became producer in 1990 he decided to promote the show's regular cast and gave Starke his first year-long contract.

"[2] Starke discussed the role with actual window cleaners who offered him tips on how to make Sinbad's profession appear authentic.

Starke branded the scene "hilarious", adding that the character "was a more light-hearted presence in those early days and slotted in nicely.

The character was introduced as a window cleaner and friend of Edna Cross (Betty Alberge), who would place bets on horse races for her behind her husband Harry's (Bill Dean) back.

After the demise of Sinbad's business, his friend Mick Johnson (Louis Emerick) gave him a job at the fish and chip shop, 'Chips with Everything'.

Sinbad was questioned by police and released without charge, but was arrested when child pornography was found on the computer that he was the main user of, the offending pictures having been accidentally downloaded by Tim and Emily Shadwick (Jennifer Ellison).

The police would not believe them when they attempted to confess, and as news of the allegations filtered around the Close, several neighbours automatically assumed Sinbad was guilty.

Eventually Sinbad's friend Rachel Jordache (Tiffany Chapman) realised that Kevin was, like her, a victim of abuse and talked to him about her own experiences.

When Barbara asked him if he wanted to move in with her and the boys, he accepted and after saying a fond farewell to Rachel left Brookside Close for a new start.

A writer from The Observer branded Sinbad "Brookside's most loveable character, a window cleaner turned murder accomplice.

They observed his protection of girlfriend Mandy (Sandra Maitland) after Trevor's murder as being problematic, adding that "his willingness to please borders on the pathological" The writer concluded that Sinbad would have benefited from long-term psychotherapy.

[10] Another Soaplife writer stated Sinbad's was "everyone's favourite window cleaner" whose "romantic track record was one of the most dismal in soapland.