Vinta Morgan
“Ronnie and Aggie had a relationship, so Ronnie could be Michael's dad…”
The Baileys have navigated their fair share of huge secrets since arriving in Weatherfield – but none more devastating than the idea that Ed’s brother, Ronnie, could be Michael’s father!
As the clan reels from Ronnie’s bombshell this week (see p17), his reallife alter ego and the Street’s new man of the moment, Vinta Morgan, chats to us for the first time since making his cobbles debut – lifting the lid on why he’s excited to rattle the skeletons in the Bailey closet, and why he’s thrilled to be a new addition to the soap’s first black family…
Congratulations on setting the cat among the pigeons, Vinta! How are you settling in at Corrie? [Laughs] Thank you! It’s been a dream. Coronation Street is a show that is watched religiously in my household, so it’s very surreal to be here. My mum is so chuffed that she’s told everyone – from the vicar to the milkman!
What do you make of Ronnie so far? He’s a maverick and seems ruthless, yet at his core there’s joviality. Ronnie’s courteous and charming, and enjoys life.
Why has he waited until now to tell Ed he could be Michael’s dad, after three decades of keeping shtum? Well, this week Ronnie’s wife turns up out of the blue. She has let him down in a drastic way, and it’s triggered something in Ronnie that enables him to finally deal with this long-held secret – that he had a relationship with Aggie before she met Ed, and the timeline means Ronnie could be Michael’s dad. He’s almost 51 and doesn’t have kids, so I think he’s yearning for fatherhood.
What would it mean to Ronnie to be Michael’s father?
It would mean everything to him. They share many similarities and would be a great fit. All of Ronnie’s relationships have been whimsical, and he hasn’t had many that have been nurturing. He’s longing for something stable and secure.
Does Ronnie care that his revelation could damage Ed and Aggie’s marriage? Ronnie feels he has a way of propping up his brother, with an ability to cushion him against major turbulence – and that might be as Ronnie is slightly arrogant. Although, I think that he’s bitten off more than he can chew with this one!
Is it fair to say that Ronnie has an eye for the ladies?
He’s single and ready to mingle! It’s over with his wife, and Ronnie wants to be back in that honeymoon period, where there’s not much heavy stuff going on. He likes to be romantic and enjoy it.
Were you aware that the Baileys were Corrie’s first black family, and what a groundbreaking moment their arrival was for the show?
Yes, it was monumental! I remember when the family was cast and reading all their interviews in the press, and I was so happy. I thought, ‘Wow, what a great thing that is’. It’s beautiful to see that representation and see them flourish on the Street.
Ronnie’s involved in the story with Grace this week, which tackles systemic racism. Are you pleased that Corrie is exploring these issues? It’s fantastic, as the show is beamed into so many homes, and sometimes people simply aren’t aware that these things happen. Subtle, systemic racism has had a profound impact on my life. Growing up in Hackney in London, I was given the impression that I was part of an underclass due to the colour of my skin. Like many of my generation, I found value in my world late in life – though I would also like to say that if it wasn’t for many conscious, anti-racist white people, I wouldn’t have made it here, either. I feel my best work is yet to come, and that Corrie is an opportunity of a lifetime.
Was it strange joining the show during the pandemic?
I’m telling you, it’s going to be a shock when hopefully things return to normal, and I’m the only one walking around in circles using the one-way system!
Ronnie had a relationship with Aggie – and could be Michael’s dad!