Ali is reunited with mum Michelle
ALEX IS BACK – BUT DON’T EXPECT A COSY REUNION, WARNS JAMES BURROWS…
It’s been a long time since Michelle Connor’s baby-swap nightmare was last mentioned on the Street. And who could blame Michelle for wanting to forget that her beloved Ryan was swapped at birth with another child, and that neither family found out until the boys were teenagers?
Inside Soap always suspected there was more mileage in this complicated, heart-breaking plot… and this week our hunch is proved right. Michelle’s life is once again turned upside down when she comes face to face with Ali – as her biological son Alex now chooses to be known – at the medical centre, where he’s just started a new job. Ali is going to have to confront his past, and Michelle will struggle to deal with her emotions regarding her son. There’s big drama ahead – which is great news for James Burrows, who takes over the role…
“I was so excited when I got the call to say I’d won the part of Ali,” enthuses the newcomer. “I’ve never worked on a soap before, but I had a good feeling after I did the screen test. Ali is very different to the characters I’ve usually played – I’m normally cast as a bad boy, the murderer or a drug dealer!”
The last time we saw Ali, he was a disturbed, troubled lad who found it impossible to cope with the news that he and Ryan Connor had been accidentally swapped at birth. He and Michelle tried to forge a bond, but they found it too tough and agreed to go their separate ways. This week, it’s Liz – Michelle’s former mother-in-law – who realises who Ali is as he begins work alongside her at the surgery. So what’s he been up to?
“Ali is now a trainee doctor on a placement at the medical practice – though from the outset, he makes it clear that it wasn’t his choice to be in Weatherfield,” explains James. “Ali’s a bit of a mystery, and I’m still working him out myself. He’s very intelligent, but not a geek. He’s got a laddie side to him. I’ve been filming since just before Christmas, so the character is starting to unfold for me a bit more now.”
After swearing Liz to secrecy, Ali finally meets Michelle when she cuts herself at work and comes in for treatment. It’s an incredibly awkward situation as the estranged duo try to navigate their first conversation in years. But while Michelle is keen to make amends, Ali keeps his biological mother at arm’s length.
“He’s a bit troubled,” admits James. “His other mum Wendy hasn’t been there for him recently, and he’s very standoffish with Michelle. He gives her the impression that Wendy turned away from him after the baby swap was uncovered, but maybe he’s telling a few porky pies. It seems he’s been very distant from both Wendy and Michelle, though it’s interesting that he’s turned up in Weatherfield and that just happens to be where his biological mum lives. He tells Michelle that he doesn’t want to be there – well, that’s what he’s saying, anyway!”
We can’t wait to get to know Ali better and to find out what his agenda is – but don’t expect a handsome young singleton with bags of charm to go unnoticed by the cobbles ladies.
“I think he might have his eye on someone,” teases James. “There’s definitely somebody on the Street who grabs his attention!”
Meanwhile, James reckons he’s having the best time. He’s been working with Kym Marsh (Michelle) and Beverley Callard (Liz) so far, and will soon have scenes with the rest of the Connor clan.
“I’ve been welcomed with open arms,” enthuses the star. “Everybody has been lovely, and Coronation Street is a great environment to work in!”
Ali makes it clear that it’s not his choice to be in Weatherfield