Nearly Two Decades on the Cobbles

Mikey North has been a familiar face on Coronation Street since 2008, when he first stepped onto the famous cobbles as Gary Windass. Over the years, fans have watched his character grow from a rebellious troublemaker to a far more complex figure.

Reflecting on his time in Weatherfield, Mikey admits the years have flown by.

“I’ve been on Corrie for almost two decades now, but it doesn’t feel like two minutes. I always remember being the young one on the set, but I’m now more the middle-aged dad. I’ve really grown up with the show.”

For him, the highlight has always been the people: castmates, crew, and even the legends of the soap.

“When I see Ken Barlow in the green room, I still catch myself,” he said with a smile.

Shoutout to a Beloved Pub

As he gears up for a special appearance at this year’s Bewdley Festival, Mikey also shared his affection for a popular local spot — The King Arthur pub in Hagley.

“My wife is from Hagley, so I actually know the area quite well. It’s a lovely part of the world. I’ve got to give a shoutout to The King Arthur pub. We do spend quite a lot of time there.”

The actor revealed that his friendship with one of the festival organizers is what led to his upcoming appearance.

Taking Corrie Stories to the Stage

On October 12, Mikey will take the stage at St George’s Hall for Corrie and Me, a behind-the-scenes event led by Adrian Goldberg. The evening will feature insights into how the soap is filmed, personal stories from the set, and even a Q&A session for fans.

Mikey explained:

“We’ve done a similar thing in Canada, where there is a big Corrie fanbase. It’s really great to talk to the fans, but it’s also a brilliant opportunity for people interested in TV or production to hear what it’s like in the industry.”

Looking Ahead — And Across the Dales

With Coronation Street filming often running months ahead, Mikey teased that it can be hard not to let spoilers slip. The cast are currently preparing for something big — a Corrie and Emmerdale crossover event.

“I don’t know if Gary will be part of the crossover yet, but it will be a great watch. It’s really exciting and quite surreal.”

He also shared the unique perk of the filming schedule:

“It does mean I get two Christmases in my life — one filming for Corrie and then one on December 25.”

A Legacy That Reaches Across the World

For Mikey, being part of the world’s longest-running TV drama is an honor he never takes lightly. The soap’s reach is something he continues to be amazed by.

“It’s crazy how you can travel 10 hours to Canada and people know about the show and who you are. It is a testament to the reach of Coronation Street.”

Despite the demanding filming schedule, Mikey says the reward is worth it.

“It brings me joy to know that all that hard work is worth it if it brings someone a bit of relief watching it at the end of the day.”