Coronation Street star entertains fans in talk as part of Bewdley arts festival

Mikey North, who has played Gary Windass in the long-running ITV soap opera for nearly 17 years, appeared last night (Sunday) on the first weekend of the Bewdley Festival of the arts.

He followed blues guitarist Toby Lee on Friday, and on Saturday poet Brian Bilston and top author Jonathan Coe, who was interviewed by author and broadcaster Adrian Goldberg, as was Mikey North.

The actor talked about how he got started in his career and how he was initially shy at school until a drama teacher at school spotted his potential.

Shunning drama school, stage work and parts in The Bill and Waterloo Road started him off as an actor before he landed the role of Gary Windass in 2008 - "partly because I was ginger and the actor who played my dad was" he told the audience.

He also revealed some of his favourite storylines from the soap, his working pattern, how honoured he was to act with the likes of Bill Tarmey (Jack Duckworth) and Bill Roache (Ken Barlow) and even what they use for beer in the Rovers Return.

The second half of the show heard questions from the audience including ones about his family, co-stars, his future career and what would be his favoured storyline if he could write one.

The festival runs until mid November with a varied programme of music, talks and shows.

Tonight (Monday) comedian Ria Lina appears at St George's Hall; Matthew Terry, Rosemary Winnall and Joe Boyd are on stage tomorrow (Tuesday) followed by Animal Farm featuring Sam Blythe on Wednesday.

For full details of all events go to https://events.bewdleyfestival.org.uk.