[Scarlett.]

As Coronation Street's 50th anniversary week begins next Monday, the show's devastating tram crash brings back horrific memories for Gary Windass as he experiences flashbacks to his time in Afghanistan. The shocking events on the cobbles trigger symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for Gary, kicking off a new storyline as it becomes clear that moving on from his stint in a warzone will be a momentous task. Here, actor Mikey North talks about his character's return home, how Gary's been affected by his tour of duty and why the anniversary stunt changes everything.

Before the tram crash, how is Gary coping after his experience in Afghanistan?
"It's totally changed him, he won't talk about it and he doesn't want anyone around him. He's pushing everybody away, he's having a go at his mum, his dad's annoying him and there's row after row."

Do Anna and Eddie try to bring him out of his shell?
"His mum's pussyfooting around him, but his dad's telling him to get out of bed and get himself sorted. Neither are helping and it's causing friction between them as well. They both know what he's been through and that it's been a really tough time for him so they understand. They're trying to help him, but he's just pushing them away."

Following Quinny's death in Afghanistan, is there a sense of Gary feeling guilty that he's still alive?
"He feels really guilty and that will live with him for a long time. He's ducked out of going to see Quinny's parents so that's still on his mind as well. He just isn't ready to look them in the eye and tell them what happened. Partly he feels guilty, partly he doesn't want to talk about it. He's in a state."

Eddie and Anna are overjoyed that Gary is home
Was there anything more he could have done for Quinny?
"No, there was nothing he could have done, but when your best mate's been killed you wonder, 'Why him and not me?' - that's where the guilt comes from. There's always that thought, 'Did he die to save me?'"

Will Gary go back to the army?
"He can't at the moment because of his psychological state, but he may be ready to return in the future. At the moment he needs to get his head sorted out before he can decide what to do."

The army was important to him, but how does he feel about it now?
"The army was a big thing for him, it was the first time he felt he belonged somewhere. Now that's been taken away, what does he do? Maybe he'll just revert back to his old ways."

Where is Gary when the tram crashes?
"He's in the house - basically he hears the explosion in The Joinery and he comes out. He's transfixed by it, it's quite surreal, then his mum finds him on the street and she's speaking to him, but he can't hear her. He's just transfixed by the disaster scene which triggers memories of Afghanistan and that's when it all hits him."

The residents look on in horror after the tram comes crashing off the viaduct
How does the tram crash affect him?
"Things were bad enough before the tram crash, but this brings it all back to the forefront of his memory. It's the trigger for the flashbacks - there's always a trigger for a person with PTSD and the explosions and chaos around him trigger it for Gary. It brings it home and he completely loses the plot. You see him stumbling around the street thinking he's in Afghanistan. Then he runs back to his house and breaks down - he thinks he's in a warzone even in his own house. He's stuck in a warzone in his head in his own front room."

What's it been like to film these scenes?
"It's been really heavy stuff, playing someone who's effectively losing control of his mind. I'm just hoping I've done it justice and it comes across well on screen. It's the most challenging storyline I've worked on so far - I hope it's believable and it portrays the emotion."

Finally, what's next for Gary?
"We're going to follow Gary and see how he gets through this. It's going to run for a good while. He's stuck in the state where different events are triggering flashbacks. He needs to get help but he won't accept any help at the minute. He won't listen to anybody. He's got people who are trying to help him but he's just pushing everybody away. I don't think they're really aware of how seriously ill he is at the moment…"

[Miss Ivy Balls]

Awwww.

effectively losing control of his mind

I know the feeling, Gary.

[Scarlett.]

lol

It's good that they're doing this with Gary, as he was one of the first on the scene when the factory went up

[Miss Ivy Balls]

Yeah.

Should be good.