INTERVIEW: Mikey North- Gary saves Sarah's life in world's first socially distanced stunt

Gary Windass has been strutting around like Coronation Street's alpha male for far too long now, but it's not going to stay that way for much longer. Sitting down with Mikey North via the magic of Zoom, he revealed how the net is quickly closing in on a worried Gary.

It all starts when Brian finds Rick Neelan's watch in the woods when metal detecting. "He finds out from Brian of all people that they've been to the woods with their metal detectors", says Mikey.  "Bernie's found a watch, Bernie sells it to Sarah, [Gary] finds out and he has a bit of a meltdown in the street and smashes up Brian's metal detector in one of his true Windass episodes."

Gary is horrified when Rick's watch is discovered... and then sold to Sarah.

With their highly fractious relationship, Sarah is probably the worst person to be in possession of Rick's watch, and this sparks worry within Gary. Mikey said: "Sarah kind of starts to put things together. Adam's obviously been after him for a while as well; the net's closing in. Sarah will approach Gary and sort of ask him straight, "did you do it?""

We've seen Gary become over-confident, but that is set to the change. "I think Gary's been really confident, Mikey less so", Mikey laughed. "I think he's felt invincible at times and his split personality comes out and he thinks that nothing can get to him, really. But that's now going to catch up with him and his luck might be running out.

Sarah finds Gary's murdering tools

After finding Gary's murder kit in the back of his van, Sarah begins to add all of the evidence together and after a heated confrontation with Gary on the cobbles, she runs into the road and is about to be hit by an oncoming car when Gary pushes her out of the way, resulting in him being hit instead. The question is, why did Gary save Sarah when she could have taken his secret to the grave? The answer is simple.

"He still loves her, doesn't he?" said Mikey. "I think he probably always will. Everything he did with Rick, you know and Rana of course with all the roof stuff, was all to sort of help them out and save her and protect her. I guess he feels hard done by that he's had to do all this and she's off with someone else and doesn't like that.

Gary saves Sarah's life- but at what cost?

"Don't get me wrong, he does love Maria, you know, she's been so nice to him and kind, and he does love her, he really does, but the stuff with Sarah will always be bubbling under and this obviously brings it all to a head."

Coronation Street is dubbing this crash the world's first socially distanced stunt, and Mikey talked about filming his own stunt involving a car going at full speed.

"I always ask to try and do my own stunts if I can, it's just I enjoy it; it's one of the best parts of the job for me so luckily they let me do it on the bonnet of the car. It's good fun and I really enjoy it, getting bashed about.

"This stunt guy showed me what to do and it was quite wet on the bonnet actually and I thought, 'I'm going to lose my grip and probably get hit by car', but luckily I got away with it somehow, but yeah, it was pretty nerve-wracking, the first take."

Mikey North filmed his own stunt

Due to social distancing precautions, the process of filming had to be altered slightly. In order for Gary to be able to push Sarah out of the way of the vehicle, a dummy wearing Sarah's clothes had to take Tina O'Brien's place at times.

Mikey said: "We're having to shoot things quite differently. There's more camera trickery to make us look closer than we are. In the stunt, it was just me acting with a dummy Sarah at times. Its not easy but we've done as best we can."

A dummy version of Sarah had to be used due to social distancing precautions

With every soap villain, their time on our screens is almost always put on a timer as soon as they commit that first murder. However, Mikey hopes that Gary's redeemable qualities will mean he can stick around. "I hope that the bad things that he has done at the start were all with good intentions at heart, you know, he was trying to help his family out through his desperation.

"I know there's been times over the last year probably where he has gone a little bit too far and that is in his nature as well, that nasty streak within him. But I do hope there is that good guy somewhere. Hopefully we can get past this, maybe bring good guy Gary back at some point.

"I hope there is a way out of this for him."

Obviously, Coronation Street has had an extensive break from filming due to lockdown, and Mikey found he was quite nervous to return to work. "It was quite nerve-wracking getting back to work actually because obviously none of us have picked up a script for three months which is quite rare as an actor that you go that long so it was like learning to do it all over again.

"I've loved it, being back. It's so nice to get back and see everyone and just be working again. We're so fortunate being in a soap at the minute that we're working because nowhere else is and you've got so many actors that would love to be working right now."

Filming a socially distanced stunt can't be easy, and Mikey explained what is was like: "It's not how you want to do it. I mean, when you're trying to act with a dummy version of Tina O'Brien, it's not as good as the real thing. But we're getting used to it now, trying to keep the distance is not easy... but we're doing our best and as I say, it's just nice to be back and getting the opportunity to work again and hopefully we'll be back to normal soon."

With Gary's net quickly closing in on him, how much does he reveal to Sarah and will she keep his dark secrets? Don't miss this action-packed episode on Wednesday 29th July!

Sophie Williams

Read some more of my general natterings on Twitter soph_journo.

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Gary Windass Unveiled as New Corrie Villain

The identity of the factory saboteur and Coronation Street’s new villain has finally been revealed.

After months of speculation, finger pointing and debate, millions of viewers saw bad boy builder Gary Windass unveiled as the man behind the death of Rana Habib.

Gary was heard listening to a message he had left on Sarah’s phone where he confessed everything - but Weatherfield’s residents are still unaware of the truth as he deleted the message before Sarah heard it.

In the coming weeks and months Nick is still suspect number one on the street but viewers will see Gary carry on with his life, hiding the huge secret from everyone.

And in a bid to get his life back on track Gary will be seen getting drawn into Rick Neelan’s murky money lending business..

Step forward Gary Windass - Corrie’s new resident villain.

Here actor Mikey North talks about taking on this new challenge, his feelings about Gary being the man behind the factory collapse and his new life of crime.

How did you feel when you found out it was going to be Gary who was responsible for the factory collapse?

I found out a good few months ago, it’s been hard keeping it under wraps for so long, it’s been helpful that Gary’s been off the radar really, you never really thought that he was the number one suspect, there’s been little bits brought in, his reaction when Sarah asked him about it was maybe a slight signpost to his guilt but it’s been helped by the fact he was under the radar. If you watch it back now though you will see subtle clues that it was him. You’ll see him in the background watching Imran go about his work and he’s looking pretty guilty.

Is it hard to play those subtle hints without giving it away?

The tendency as an actor is to put that into every scene and carry it with you but that might have given the game away too soon here. Plus Gary has had other things to contend with which have kept him quiet so I’ve scaled his reaction back.

Have you had to keep quiet amongst family and friends?

It’s not been widely known that it was me and I’ve kept it like that, I remember going up to see the boss and it was exciting to learn what’s in store for Gary. It’s definitely been great to play and there’s lots more to come yet.

When members of the public have been coming up to you asking you who did it have you had a fall guy?

Yes Nick all the way, he looked pretty guilty didn’t he?! Nick and David hate on poor Windass in every scene, even when it’s not scripted, so I was more than happy to blame Nick haha.

So why did Gary sabotage the roof?

He was desperate for work, he and Sarah were sleeping on air beds at the Platts and Gary couldn’t get any work, then there was Carla sitting on the fact that the factory roof needed fixing. It wasn’t going to fall down any time soon but Gary thought if he could speed up that process he’d force her hand into getting the work done sooner. He damaged the roof a bit more, intending to hurry things along, but it still wouldn’t have come down if Gina and Sally hadn’t been up on it protesting. He didn’t expect anyone to be in the building at the weekend when he tampered with it and he certainly never intended for anyone to get hurt. He was just desperate to get some work, but like always with Gary he does something in the heat of the moment then is left paying the price.

So how did he feel when he heard that Rana had died?

Shocked and devastated, then left trying to hide his guilt. Gary never set out to hurt anyone, he just wanted a better life for he and Sarah, everything he did he did for Sarah but as time goes on and Sarah starts to distance herself from Gary it looks like that it was all for nothing.

Is Gary consumed by his guilt?

There are moments when he’s so weighed down by it but Gary comes out fighting. He’s desperate to hold onto Sarah and he’s suddenly got even bigger things to worry about with Rick. One problem is suddenly eclipsed by another. If he thought things were bad after the factory collapse then life is about to get a whole lot worse for Gary.

Will we see a return to the Gary of old?

Gary’s darker, edgier side has always been there, he’s a Windass after all. When he first started in the show he was very hot headed and always getting into trouble but then he joined the army and I think that straightened him out a bit. But Gary’s always been unpredictable and after suffering with PTSD when he left the army that part of his personality has started to rear its head again. We’ve seen it when he tackled Phelan, we’ve seen it through his feud with Seb and we’re going to see a very different Gary over the coming months.

So is Gary Corrie’s next big villain?

He’s not a villain as such in the guise of Phelan, but he’s definitely on the wrong side of his law. Gary suddenly has a lot more to contend with, he’s fighting for his survival and that’s what makes Gary so dangerous. Everything he’s done was for Sarah so when she turns his back on him he’s got nothing more to lose and that makes him much more dangerous. Gary is in deep and he’s effectively fighting for his life. Gary’s not evil, he’s done a very bad thing and he’ll have to live with that for the rest of his life, but is he prepared to go to jail for it? Maybe not and now he’s got Rick on his back as well we’ll see Gary come out fighting and I love playing that edge to him. Gary can make very rash decisions and then is forced down a path of no return.

Were you worried when you heard the direction the character was going in, given that soap villains usually have to pay the price for their crimes?

It did cross my mind but as an actor you have to relish being given these storylines and I’m so excited to see what they’re going to throw at me. I’ve been here for over 10 years now and this is the most exciting period of time in Gary’s life. You want big storylines so I’ll take whatever they can throw at me. I don’t think Gary has any intention of being caught for a long time yet and he won’t go down without a fight that’s for sure. The stakes are high now for Gary and he’s got nothing to lose.

Going forward what are we going to see from Gary?

This is the start of the next chapter in Gary’s life and I can’t wait to get stuck in and see what the writers have in store for him, bring it on I say.

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Mikey North's going to be a dad

Coronation Street's Mikey North, who plays Gary Windass, tells OK magazine this week that he and wife Rachael are expecting their first child together.

When the pregnancy news was confirmed, Mikey said: 'We were both feeling emotional but, for once, I didn't cry. That makes a change – I must be starting to man up in my old age!'

You can read the full interview in this week's OK magazine, if you'd like to.

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Victims of circumstance

I've made it clear that I hope the Wind-strongs will be rested in the months ahead. We know Owen and Katy are leaving in 2015 and I'm not sorry. While the Pat Phelan storyline had its moments (mainly Phelan and his gob on a stick wife), they have dominated for too long now.

That said, I have found Gary's recent altercation with Roy to be an interesting development. Yes, I know there is only so much Windass angst and misery we can stand, but I think the reactions to Gary's run in with Roy have been illuminating. They have certainly provoked strong debate in our house.

As much as I love Roy and appreciate that he's had a truly dreadful year, there is no excuse for his attack on Gary. That said, I can't really blame him. As well as Hayley's sad demise, Roy's delicate hold on life has been rocked by the persistent, unpleasant bullying from a bunch of thugs. Given his recent troubles, he was in a heightened state of anxiety and that must have played its part when he found Gary in the cafe. 

I also feel sympathy for Gary. When you are told often enough that you are rubbish and a complete waste of space, sometimes you can't help but fill that role. He has been put in a desperate position. He has no money, no job, no support from those around him. He has been humiliated and treated like the lowest of the low. While Gary's main problem is controlling his temper, he has been repeatedly goaded by the deeply unpleasant Owen for such a long time now. It is very uncomfortable viewing.

Yes, Gary should not have punched Phelan, but he was just defending his mother. However Owen is wrong to blame Gary for all their misfortunes. It was Owen's greed that brought them to Phelan's door in the first place. Also, the family has ganged up on Gary after they got it into their collective brain cell that he wanted to get back with Izzy. Izzy and particularly Katy (has she not learned anything?) have judged and treated Gary really harshly. At no point did he suggest he wanted to reunite with Izzy, as i frequently scream at my television!

I must also take Anna to task over her treatment of Roy. I do like Anna, the character has developed nicely over the years. I can understand her shock at what Roy has done to Gary and her primary instinct is to defend her son. However, it would also have been appropriate for Anna to at least reference that Gary was at fault in his attempt to rob from the cafe. Anna may soften in her stance towards Roy when she realises how much she needs her job.

i also think it is interesting how Roy's attack on Gary has divided the Corrie community. It is probably true to life that older characters like Norris and Rita would defend Roy's right to defend his property, while younger characters like Sinead struggle to see past the violence of Roy's attack on Gary.

While I often moan that Corrie is too depressing or the drama is too heightened or extreme, I do think the issues raised from this recent storyline are thought provoking and important. As far as the performances are concerned, anything involving David Neilson and Mikey North is bound to be extremely watchable.

As for Owen, I can only hope Pat Phelan makes a return to the street and plays some part in Owen's exit. That would at least make it more interesting. 




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Gary Windass breaks down

Little by little, Gary's gone closer and closer to the edge. It receded a bit after the tram crash for a few months but lately, he's been careening to the cliff and last night he went over it. If Mikey North doesn't win awards for this storyline, there is no justice. His performance left me breathless and teary eyed. Read more about it here.

Gary's Army Diaries - TV Edition

Corrie Extra: Gary's Army Diaries aired on ITV2 last night with 10-15 minutes extra footage than the online specials. It featured scenes of Gary moving into Izzy's house, and Izzy discovering the camera.

The TV edition focused even more on how the events of the diary affected Gary, and how the horrors of war may never leave him. The scenes of the roadside bomb still manage to make my blood run cold.

I hope the British Soap Awards add an award for best online drama, because this would win without a doubt.

Eddie Windass in new dressing-gown shock

Never mind Mikey North and his cracking performance as troubled Gary Windass, or Debbie Rush as his concerned mum. It's Eddie who had my eyes popping out of their sockets during last night's episode of Coronation Street. Again.

Why? Because Weatherfield's answer to Noel Coward has only gone and got a new dressing-gown. Unfortunately I can't find a photograph of it, so I'm just having to use this old one.

By my calculation, this is dressing gown number three - and this time it's black, which is definitely a sensible choice for Eddie, given his level of personal hygiene.

The wardrobe department must have some fun planning Eddie's awful outfits. I've loved watching them all, and can't wait to see what they come up with before he leaves.

My own blog is here

The Windasses - can you see them running the Rovers?

I can. It's not that far-fetched. I'm probably totally wrong but I feel certain that the Windasses are going to be rehabilitated from kitchen-nickers to salt-of-the-earth types, through the forthcoming Afghanistan storyline. They could then come into money "somehow" and buy Steve out.

Not that I'm in any hurry to get rid of Liz McDonald - I love her and she is beyond fabulous behind that bar. Steve is always great as well, but he wouldn't disappear - he'd still have Streetcars.

But a change has to come sometime and as a viewer I'm really fed up with the present Rovers Becky/Steve set-up.

I think that Anna would look terrific glammed up behind the bar, and she's got the personality for it. Eddie would never manage the cellar what with his bad back, but neither did Jack Duckworth and besides they could keep Ciaran on for the heavy lifting.

Evil uncle Len could make the odd shifty appearance, and Gary Windass would...be Gary Windass. See? I've got it all planned out - but I'm probably completely wrong.

What's in the wind for the Windasses?

I suppose everyone's allowed a holiday sometime, but as a big Windass fan I've been experiencing "Eddie withdrawals" as he's only been glimpsed on screen occasionally and very briefly recently *pine*. However, today I read over on Digital Spy that the Afghanistan storyline, in which Gary Windass (played by Mikey North) features as a bomb disposal expert is definitely in the pipeline and is due to be Very Emotional. Hankies at the ready. I think this will be a good one. Lots of families have sons and daughters in the Forces and will be able to identify with this. I know many people loathe Eddie due to his dreadful layabout tendencies and filthy habits, but there's more to him than that, and I think we're about to see Eddie at his best. However, I really hope the Coronation Street writers don't redeem him too much. Anna Windass (Debbie Rush) is always really good at humour and pathos so this will be ideal for her, and Mikey North is a credit to Corrie, so all in all, I'm going to sit back and enjoy. I only hope that Gary's upcoming flirtation with the awful Kylie is brief - I'd far rather see a Gary/Izzy romance develop.

Meet Mikey North on Saturday 20th March

If you are lucky enough to be in Scarborough this Saturday at 10am, why not get along to the new Nisa store opening in Newborough next to Arrow Models for a chance to meet Mikey North who plays Coronation Street's Gary Windass.

Nisa's owner, Daniel Wilson, said: 'We’re delighted that Mikey agreed to come along to the opening. We wanted to get a celebrity to cut the ribbon and luckily one of our staff members knows Mikey and he was keen to do it.'