I’VE WANTED THIS JOB FOR 40 YEARS

Coronation Street’s Richard Hawley on Johnny’s risky new romance, and why the role is his chance of a lifetime

He’s spent 40 years on stage and screen working with greats including Helen Mirren and the late Alan Rickman, but Richard Hawley’s career highlight has been joining Coronation Street.

‘I’ve been trying to get a job on the Street for my whole career; I’ve been up for jobs at least six times in the past 20 years,’ reveals Richard, who has played Underworld factory boss Johnny Connor since last October. ‘When I got the part I went into an emotional free-fall. It was the chance of a lifetime, so I was incredibly excited and full of adrenaline.

‘Even now I pinch myself; I look around and get a sense of history, of standing on the shoulders of giants. I’m not sure how I got here, but I feel I’ve got the best job in the country.’

It’s a wonderful tribute from Richard, who appeared with Dame Helen in Prime Suspect on ITV in the 90s, was the star of his own show The Vet on BBC1, and in 2003 worked with Alan Rickman on rom- com Love Actually. ‘Working with Helen and Alan was fantastic, I learned so much. But there are all sorts of people below the starry level who I’ve also learnt from over the years.’

Richard’s character Johnny has been busy since arriving in Weatherfield looking for his son Aidan, who’d stolen money from him to buy a share in Underworld. Johnny’s taken charge of the factory and told his ‘niece’ Carla that she’s really his daughter.

This week Johnny and his cleaner Jenny Bradley, who’ve been flirting for a while, get together after she makes him jealous by going out with his business associate Matthew Singh.

‘It’s been a long time since Johnny’s had a decent relationship,’ says Richard. ‘He likes that Jenny’s a strong woman, and the boss-employee relationship adds a frisson of risk.’

The mischievous Jenny offers to be Johnny’s eyes and ears in the factory, although Richard suspects it won’t end well. ‘It won’t make them popular with the staff when they find out.’

But do Jenny and Johnny have a future together? ‘I enjoy working with Sally Ann Matthews, who plays Jenny, and I think we’ve got chemistry. So I hope they’ll have fun for years and maybe get married one day.’

Richard’s been married for more than 30 years and has grown-up twin daughters. The family home’s in Brighton and Richard heads there when he can, but in the week he shares a Manchester flat with Connor McIntyre, who plays evil Pat Phelan.

It’s a price Richard’s prepared to pay for his dream role. ‘I always wanted a job in Corrie that’d become a big character like Mike Baldwin. They’re big shoes to fill but it’s a privilege to be given a shot. If it was up to me, I’d spend a fair old time here.’

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