Kelvin Fletcher Sparks Outrage as He Defends Corrie Killer Mick Michaelis on ‘Off Script’ Podcast

In the latest episode of the popular ITV podcast Off Script… Coronation Street and Emmerdale, a surprising and controversial moment unfolded when Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher made a shock confession about one of Coronation Street’s most notorious characters. Fletcher, who co-hosts the podcast with his wife Liz Fletcher, admitted he felt sorry for none other than Mick Michaelis, the cold-blooded killer who recently murdered fan-favourite Craig Tinker.

This episode welcomed special guest Mikey North, beloved by Corrie fans for his long-running role as Gary Windass since 2008. The trio sat down to unpack the most explosive recent developments in the soap world, with a specific focus on the dramatic storylines emerging from the cobbles of Weatherfield.

One such storyline is the shocking murder of Craig Tinker, portrayed by Colson Smith. Craig, a beloved character who had won over audiences with his awkward charm and gentle demeanor, met a brutal end at the hands of Mick Michaelis, played by Joe Layton. The unexpected turn of events has rocked Coronation Street fans and prompted intense discussions across social media platforms.

Yet, amidst the outrage, Kelvin Fletcher dropped a bombshell during the podcast recording by expressing sympathy for the murderer.

“I can’t believe I’m admitting this, and I might be the only person in the country who feels this way,” Fletcher said candidly. “But I actually felt sorry for Mick.”

His comment was met with immediate disbelief. Co-host and wife Liz Fletcher quickly responded with a disapproving, “Kelvin, no,” while guest Mikey North was more direct, saying, “You can’t say that, Kelvin.”

Kelvin, clearly aware of the backlash brewing even as he spoke, tried to clarify his position. He explained that his feelings of sympathy were rooted in the backstory that had recently been revealed about Mick’s troubled upbringing. The show’s writers had taken time to explore Mick’s traumatic childhood, which Kelvin argued could provide some insight into the psychological scars that led to his current violent behavior.

“Obviously, what Mick did was horrific,” Kelvin continued. “But as we got to see more of his past – the abuse, the abandonment, the trauma – I started to understand the layers to his character. It doesn’t excuse his actions, not at all, but it does paint a bigger picture.”

Despite his explanation, many listeners and viewers took to social media to express their disagreement. One user posted, “Sorry Kelvin, but feeling bad for Mick after what he did to Craig? That’s just mad.” Others, however, appreciated his attempt to humanize a complex character, with one tweet stating, “It’s refreshing to see someone try to understand the psychology of a villain. Soap villains are rarely one-dimensional.”

Meanwhile, fans have also expressed concern over the sudden lack of appearances by Mikey North’s character, Gary Windass. As one of Corrie’s major players for over a decade, his notable absence has not gone unnoticed. Viewers have been posting questions online like: “Where is Gary Windass? He’s only been in one episode this year – and that was back in January.”

This sense of unease has only grown as viewers speculate that Gary may become Mick’s next victim. Given that Gary has been loosely associated with Mick and tangled in past trouble, fans fear that he could be walking straight into danger.

One Twitter user ominously wrote, “Oh dear Gary, you need to reconsider your friendship with Mick!” Another added, “I’ve got a feeling Mick will try and kill him next.” Yet another fan chimed in: “Maybe this is Gary’s exit storyline and he’s going out with a bang?”

The character of Mick Michaelis only arrived in Weatherfield earlier this year alongside his partner Lou Michaelis, portrayed by Farrel Hegarty. However, it hasn’t taken them long to wreak havoc. Mick has already been involved in several violent incidents, including a brutal assault on Sean Tully (played by Anthony Cotton) earlier this month. His most recent and deadly act, killing Craig, has left shockwaves across the soap world.

As for Mikey North, he played it coy during the podcast, not giving away any spoilers about Gary’s fate but acknowledging that fans “should keep watching.” He admitted that he’d been enjoying some time off set, focusing on family and personal projects, but hinted that Gary’s story was far from over.

“I’ve had a bit of time away, yeah,” Mikey said. “But that doesn’t mean Gary’s gone for good. Let’s just say things are about to get very interesting.”

The Off Script… Coronation Street & Emmerdale podcast has quickly become a fan-favorite for soap enthusiasts, offering behind-the-scenes insights, candid cast interviews, and lively debates. Hosted by real-life couple Kelvin and Liz Fletcher, the podcast blends humor with serious discussion, providing a fresh and engaging platform for fans to stay connected with their favorite shows.

The latest episode is now streaming on ITVX and continues to spark conversation online. Whether you agree with Kelvin’s controversial take or not, one thing’s for sure: Off Script knows how to stir the pot.