Mikey North: 'I respect the armed forces'

Coronation Street star Mikey North has revealed that he has a lot of respect for the British Armed Forces.

The actor, who plays Gary Windass on the ITV1 soap, admitted that he is glad to play the first serving soldier in Weatherfield.

He told Inside Soap: "It's something I can't really get my head around - how those guys go out there and put their lives on the line without a thought for themselves.

"I've got so much respect for them, and it's nice to be the first regular serving soldier on the Street. Bill Roache, who plays Ken, told me there was one at the start, but he was only in it very briefly."

Speaking of his own physical fitness, he added: "I don't go to the gym at all, to be honest - I'm a lazy guy like that.

"I don't know how I don't put on weight! I really should be at the gym more, but I've not got round to it yet."