Coronation Street star Mikey North has shared his pride as he spoke about his co-star Millie Gibson's exit for the first time. Her exit as Kelly Neelan has recently been confirmed by the ITV soap's producer, Iain MacLeod.
Prior to her exit, after three years, being confirmed, it was previously teased that Kelly could finally uncover the truth about killer Gary, and the fact he allowed her dying mother Laura Neelan to take the blame for killing her dad, Rick Neelan.
Then, earlier this month, Corrie boss Iain MacLeod revealed that the pair will enter into a ‘Corriewood’ showdown as part of a huge week of episodes later this month. The real drama will start when Kelly finds dated photos on her mum’s old camera that prove she couldn’t have been the one that murdered Rick after all, despite her confession in her dying days to cover for Gary.
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Corrie viewers will see Kelly confront Gary with no success, and soon it is Sharon, her dad Rick's former sidekick at the loan shark's office, who breaks the news to Kelly that Gary was the one who killed her dad.
The epic week will see Gary retrace the steps that led to him killing Rick three years ago as Kelly hires a hitman as revenge for her dad's death. But when they both end up in danger, who survives remains to be seen.
Mikey, however, has been quick to recall his first scenes with Millie. “I remember her coming into the loan shark’s office and her saying, ‘Where’s my dad?’ I think that was her first line.It feels like yesterday. Four years on, I can’t believe it.”
Speaking about filming Gary and Kelly’s last moments together, Mikey and Millie both felt the emotion as they edged closer to working together for the last time. When asked if it was emotional knowing Millie was leaving, Mikey said: “Fake life and real life blends into one. You’re aware that’s the last time you’re working with someone.”
He then teased: “And the last scene of this block, it’s emotional to even think about. That was my last seen with her [Millie] so it was certainly emotional and hopefully, you’ll get to see that when it comes out.”
During an interview with the Manchester Evening News and other press, Mikey what his favourite thing about working with Millie has been. He was quick to gush: “She's an amazing girl. I’m so proud of what she’s become and I’m proud to say I was there at the start of her career. This girl will go on to have an amazing career, I’m sure of it, and she’ll be sorely missed here. I rate her so highly.”
THe soap star was also asked if he had any favourite scenes or moments he and Millie shared as Gary and Kelly. "The last scene that we shot will definitely be the one. It wasn’t the easiest thing to film but it was good," he admitted. "And I think of the lighter moments, like when she caught Gary dancing in Maria’s lycra and even her first scene."
Teasing what's next for the 18-year-old actress, he said: "She’s going to be a start whatever she does." While Millie's exit comes at a bad time for Gary, Mikey has a new young actor under his wing who he has been full of just as much praise for. "They did introduce this more tactile father figure who's looking out for Kelly, which just heightens the end product," he said of Gary and Kelly's slowly built relationship that will come crashing down when she discovers the truth. "The very last scene in particular was very emotional to film.
"Jake Windass, played by little Bobby Bradshaw, has moved back in with us as well. Me and Samia [Longchambon, who plays Maria] were saying how it's been a real family unit these last few weeks. There's five of us in that house now. He's a cracking little actor, is Bobby. I know we're losing Millie, but Bobby is one to watch for the future as well – he's a real little star in the making. Hopefully we'll get to see more of him as well."
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