Coronation Street star Mikey North, who plays Gary Windass, has revealed his secret link to Chesney Brown.

Recently on the soap, Gary went missing after storming out on his wife Maria after Lou Michaelis threatened to destroy the couple’s relationship. Viewers are aware that Gary is actually in a coma and is lying in a hospital bed after being brutally beaten by a mystery assailant.

Meanwhile, another unknown person has been keeping watch over Gary while he’s unconscious in the hospital. For unknown reasons, they’ve been telling staff that Gary’s name is Chesney to disguise his true identity.

Appearing on today’s This Morning, North shared an interesting titbit about his connection to Chesney when he told hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard he originally auditioned to play Chesney’s half-brother Billy Brown before landing the role of Gary.

“Many years ago I auditioned to play Chesney’s brother who came into [the soap] very briefly as a soldier, I think it was,” he recalled.

The actor continued: “I auditioned, I think I was a little bit too young and hence that was my introduction to the Coronation Street casting team.” Who knew?

North also opened up the ITV morning show about the upcoming Corrie crossover episode with Emmerdale, sharing: “I’m not sure whether I’m involved in that or not yet. But that’s going to be great. I’m actually surprised they’ve never thought about doing that before.”

He added: “It’ll be fantastic whatever they put together.”