Rick Neelan is more dangerous than Coronation Street serial killer Pat Phelan, actor Mikey North reckons.
The dodgy loan shark has a dark history on the cobbles having terrorised them almost a decade ago.
Read more: Coronation Street brings back Vicky Jefferies to expose Gary Windass
He terrified Joe McIntyre into taking desperate measures and trying to fake his own death, unwittingly dying in the process.
And he memorably kidnapped Rita Sullivan on her wedding day to Dennis and ransomed her to Joe’s daughter Tina.
Rick is now back after Mikey’s character Gary went to him to get money when he hit hard times.
And what a mistake that has turned out to be!
But for Gary who stood up to serial killer Pat Phelan, Rick is even scarier and Gary can’t handle him.
Actor Mikey told The Sun: “I don’t think anyone can protect anyone from Rick, he’s pretty ruthless.
Read more: Coronation Street reveals first look at Ed Bailey as he arrives on the cobbles
“I think Gary fancies himself as being quite handy, but Rick’s a different level and kinda even puts Gary in his place.”
But despite his villainy, Mikey revealed he would like to be friends with the cruel loan shark.
He added: “I quite like the character Rick, the way he’s written, it’s almost like the likeable scary bad guy.
“He’s got some pretty decent one liners whereas Pat was pretty much bad through and through, so I think there’s a bit more to like about Rick, but I wouldn’t mess with him.”
Phelan massacred his way through the street before Gary’s mum Anna Windass took him down with a knife to the chest.
It was revealed by show boss Iain Macleod how the street will welcome a new super villain this year who will be revealed as being responsible for the Underworld factory collapse.
Could it be Gary? We’ll have to wait and see.
Who do you think it will be? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!