You Ask… George Banks (Henry)
Corrie’s Henry Newton ...faces your questions!
While behind the bar of the Rovers,
Henry might have overheard a few cobbles secrets! But will star George be willing to divulge any of his own?
“Do you think Henry and Gemma are a good match?”
They make an interesting couple! The fact that they’re an odd pairing makes it a lot of fun. Gemma’s really good for Henry because she speaks her mind and doesn’t put up with any nonsense. Henry’s lived in a world where he’s been able to do or say what he likes,
so Gemma is a bit of a reality check for him.
“What’s it like to be in charge of the Rovers, and what kind of landlord would you make in real life?”
It’s slightly mind-blowing! The other day I was stood behind the bar, looking out at Rita, Gail and Audrey, all these people I grew up watching – that was very surreal! In real life, I’d be a dreadful landlord. I’m a bit of a softie, so I don’t think I could ever bar anyone – and
I’d give away a lot of free drinks!
“Did you get grief from fans over the way Henry treated Gemma?”
Yes! People love Gemma, don’t they? I was well prepped for some backlash, but it was all in good fun. Henry did a very bad thing, but I think people realised that he’d got himself in too deep, and was trying to find a way out. So I like to think that a part of them was maybe rooting for him a bit.
“What’s the best thing about Dolly-rose Campbell [aka Gemma]?”
She makes me laugh! I know that sounds obvious, because you’d think that from watching Gemma. But we can be on set for a long time together, and we always try to get away with things in scenes that might make each other chuckle. I hope that humour we share carries over to the characters.
“Who would you like to be Henry’s best mate on the Street?”
If I had to pick somebody who could help Henry out, I’d say Shona – she’s got street smarts and she’s tough. She might be a useful ally to rein Henry in when he’s being a bit of a buffoon. She wouldn’t have any of that nonsense.
“I see you’re really into computer games – what’s your favourite?”
“Are Henry and Gemma a good match?”
There’s a long list! I really love
Smash Brothers, because I’m very competitive. But the game I grew up with and love is The Legend of Zelda.
It sometimes makes me cry when I play it!
“What was it like recording a voice-over for the Harry Potter computer games?”
That was a long time ago, but it was surreal. I was the commentator in the Quidditch World Cup games,
Lee Jordan, and it was my first ever voice-over job. I had more than 500 pages of dialogue to learn! I got to work at EA and play lots of arcade games, which was absolutely fantastic.
“What does your family think of you being in Corrie?”
My mum’s response was, “Oh, it was a bit weird, wasn’t it?” – which wasn’t what I was expecting, but I think it was just strange seeing me in a programme that she’s watched since before I was born. My wife and I watch every episode, and if I’m away we have them stacked up to watch when I get home.
“If Henry and Chesney had a fight over Gemma, who do you think would win?”
Chesney! We saw Henry’s attempt at a punch, and I think that was the first punch he’d ever thrown, which is why it was staggeringly unsuccessful.
Chesney’s got the speed, and he’s a bit tougher. Henry thinks he would give him a good fight – but being honest, Chesney would probably floor him!
“Where’s the best place you’ve ever been on holiday?”
I went to Japan on honeymoon, and it was so beautiful. Everywhere you go, even the modern places, you see shrines. It was a wonderful experience – the best two weeks of my life.
“Who makes you laugh the most?”
On set it’s Dolly, as I have the most fun with her. In the green room, Simon [Gregson, aka Steve] is very funny, and if he’s on set as well he can catch you by surprise and really make you laugh. Also Kym [Marsh, who plays Michelle] and Ali [King, aka Carla] together are a lot of fun. Corrie is the best place to work!
“If you could play another Corrie character, who would it be?”
Roy! He’s Weatherfield’s answer to Plato, and it would be interesting to be inside his head for a day.
“We know Henry’s dad is the big boss of Newton And Ridley. Who would you like to see play him?”
Patrick Stewart! He’s got that natural air of confidence, so he could be good as that tough dad that Henry has lived his life trying to please. Plus, he’s northern!
“Who’d win in a fight – Henry or Chesney?”