Gary Windass (Mikey North) is set to confront prison officer Ross Wilkes (Ian Burfield) in Coronation Street next week, after suspecting that his cellmate is being victimised.
Gary is currently serving time for his involvement in the killing of Theo Silverton (James Cartwright). He shares a cell with Marco Rhodes (William Teasdale), who is also Summer Spellman’s (Harriet Bibby) new beau. Gary becomes suspicious when he finds Marco covered in bruises.
Gary suspects bullying
Next week, Gary challenges Marco over his arm being almost entirely purple, but Marco brushes off his concerns and hides the marks with a jumper. Later, in the visiting room, Summer is hurt when she is told Marco won’t come out of his cell. Gary confides in Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon) that he believes Marco is being victimised. Maria, aware of Gary’s temper and hatred for bullies, pleads with him to stay out of it.
Meanwhile, Ross promises Summer he will keep a watchful eye on Marco, but has no intention of doing so. When Marco finally agrees to see Summer, she praises Ross, leaving Marco awkwardly nodding in agreement.
Ross's cruel act
‘Gary finds it really strange and doesn’t quite know what’s going on,’ Mikey says of how Gary handles Ross initially. ‘Ross’s behaviour and some of the things he says are quite odd, Gary doesn’t want to rebel against him too much too quickly because he thinks Ross might look after him in there, but Gary is definitely skeptical and taken aback.’
Later, Ross visits Marco and rips up a card Summer has brought him, leaving him deeply upset. Gary cannot abide this when he discovers what has happened.
Confrontation ahead
‘The great thing about Gary is that he’ll always do what he thinks is right without necessarily thinking about the consequences first, which is exactly why he’s in this situation, so maybe he needs to start thinking six months ahead before jumping in’ Mikey said.
Gary confronts Ross, who reminds him that in prison, he holds all the power. The question remains whether Gary’s prison spell is about to get even worse.
