Coronation Street newcomer Mick star’s life off-screen as true identity revealed

Coronation Street’s latest addition, Joe Layton, has shared insights into his new role as Mick Michaelis following his official debut on the iconic cobbles.

His first scenes as Mick aired during the episode of the ITV soap on Friday night (February 14), after his on-screen wife Lou, portrayed by Farrel Hegarty, made her initial appearance earlier in the week.

The couple, previously announced as Weatherfield’s new ‘nightmare neighbours’, are set to follow in the footsteps of the infamous Battersby clan from 1997.

They will be moving into Mawdsley Street, located behind Chesney and Gemma Winter-Brown’s house, marking the first time Corrie has expanded the drama across the ginnel.

Coronation Street’s Mick Michaelis actor Joe Layton made his debut in the soap this week alongside his on-screen wife Lou ( Image: ITV)

During Lou’s debut on the street, she was seen giving Aadi Alahan a hard time over a shop purchase and quickly befriending Gemma, with whom she shares a connection from Bessie Street School, where both their children attend. They even shared a drink at the Rovers Return.

Mick has now also made his first appearance in Weatherfield. Chesney came home with Valentine’s cakes for Gemma and mentioned that he thought he saw the silver van again.

Gemma then informed Chesney that Lou and Mick are moving into Mawdsley Street and arranged for them to meet for a drink later, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Corrie fans have been taken aback after learning the true identity of the elusive Mick – the silver van man who’s been badgering Chesney for months, leaving him utterly clueless.

Mick is the silver van man who’s been badgering Chesney Brown for months ( Image: ITV)

Joe, speaking about landing the role of Mick, explained: “I initially had to do a self-tape which I did down in London and then I got a call maybe a week or two later saying they’d love for me to come in for a screen test which was really exciting.

“When I came in and read it, I was reading with a couple of people and Farrel was the last person and the chemistry we had was evident from the off.”

He added: “It was one of those moments where I got the train afterwards back to London and thought to myself, if I don’t get the part, I’ve done everything I could have and given my best version of Mick, so when I got the part it felt surreal.”

Joe also talked about his previous acting experiences stating, “I graduated about 10 or so years ago from drama school. The first acting job I got was New Worlds with Jamie Dornan, who is such a lovely guy. I’ve done quite a bit of TV and theatre.”

Mick is Chesney’s new neighbour ( Image: ITV)

He explained: “I lived in the US for six years and did Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, which is a Marvel TV show over there. I have worked on a bunch of Netflix and BBC shows and I also worked on an ITV show called The Trouble with Maggie Cole with Dawn French.

“I also worked with Jodie Comer on Thirteen, who’s really great. Most recently, I’ve worked on a show called Lockerbie – which isn’t the Colin Firth one! I’ve been getting so many texts from friends saying they are about to start it but there’s two – and I think this one will come out later this year.

“It may well be out while Corrie’s on too which would definitely confuse the public because I have an American accent in Lockerbie.”

Joe, however, is loving his time on the cobbles so far. He added: “I absolutely love it! Everyone’s really welcoming. It really is everything I’d hoped it would be.

“When I did the screen test, I got a really good vibe from the whole set and everyone there and it’s just carried on getting better and better.”