Earlier this year, fans of ITV’s flagship soap<\/a> were introduced to Kevin Webster’s brother Carl. Carl wasted no time causing drama, as he soon struck up an affair with his sister-in-law Abi.<\/p>\n However, Abi isn’t the only romantic connection Carl has struck up since joining the street, having recently wooed Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) and shocked viewers once again when he ended up in bed with James Bailey <\/a>(Jason Callender). But before being cast as the mechanic who is currently wrapped up in a load of dodgy business deals, he actually tried his luck for a part nearly 20 years ago.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Sue Cleaver reveals ‘constant worry’ as she makes rare comments about son<\/a>READ MORE: Coronation Street’s Costello and Becky ‘hiding truth about fake death cover-up’<\/a> Jonathan has now revealed that when he was auditioning for drama school, he also went up for the part of Gary Windass before it eventually went to Mikey North<\/a>, who has remained in the role since he started in 2008.<\/p>\n During an appearance on ITV’s Loose Women<\/a> on Wednesday, he said: “It was 20 years ago, I was auditioning for drama school and at the same time, I was auditioning for…I don’t know who I should say who the character was…”<\/p>\n But panellist Denise Welch, who famously starred as Rovers Return landlady Natalie Horrocks<\/a> in the 1990s, told him to reveal all and he explained: “It was Mikey North, who plays the character, Gary Windass. It was a whole [new] family and I did the screen test.”<\/p>\n “At the time, Coronation Street<\/a> was the ceiling, I wanted, because as a kid, I grew up as a kid watching it. So many great memories watching it with my mum and dad, my sister and my brother.<\/p>\n “To be doing that at 20 years old was the dream. And I didn’t get it. Mikey North has done an amazing job, he’s been it it for 20 years and the part was for him. It was a really good lesson in knowing what’s yours and what’s not. The universe sends you in the right direction, because I didn’t get it, I then went to drama school, met my wife and had a very different experience.”<\/p>\n Builder Gary was introduced alongside mother Anna Windass (Debbie Rush<\/a>) and dad Eddie Windass (Steve Huison) before they adopted Faye Butler (Ellie Leach) <\/a>into the family.<\/p>\n Over the years, he has experienced PTSD from his time in the army, and accidentally caused the death of Rana Habeeb (Bhvana Limbachia) when he sabotaged the Underworld<\/a> factory roof in a failed attempt to sort out loan shark debts.<\/p>\n However, he is now the only left from that unit on the street and is currently married to Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon<\/a>), but also has son Jake with Izzie Armstrong (Cherylee Houston), as well as Zack from his one night stand with Nicola Rubinstein (Nicola Thorp<\/a>), although she departed Weatherfield several years ago.<\/p>\n In recent months, fans of the world’s longest-running TV soap will know that Gary was landed in hospital following a vicious attack dealt by Lou Michaelis (Farrel Hegarty<\/a>), who is now serving time in prison for her crimes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok<\/a>, Snapchat<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, YouTube<\/a> and Threads<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Jonathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/31_05_coro_carl.jpg\")
Jonathan Howard now stars as dodgy mechanic Carl Webster on Coronation Street<\/p>\n![\"Mikey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_gary_windass.jpg\")
But in 2008, he went up for the role of Gary Windass before it went to Mikey North (pictured)(Image: ITV)<\/p>\n