Vinnie Monks
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| EastEnders character | ||||||
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| Vinnie Monks | ||||||
| Portrayed by | Bobby Davro | |||||
| Created by | Diederick Santer | |||||
| Duration | 2007— | |||||
| First appearance | 8 October 2007 | |||||
| Profile | ||||||
| Status | In a relationship with Shirley Carter | |||||
| Home | 43 Albert Square | |||||
| Occupation | Minicab driver | |||||
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Vince "Vinnie" Monks is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. He is played by comedian Bobby Davro and made his first appearance on 8 October 2007.
Contents |
[edit] Character creation
[edit] Background and casting
Vinnie Monks was introduced by the executive producer of EastEnders, Diederick Santer. The character, described as "a loveable rogue", was brought in as a love interest for the character Shirley Carter (played by Linda Henry) in October 2007.[1] A BBC source said "Vince likes a challenge, and he’ll have a big one on his hands trying to get Shirley to crack a smile. She’s going to find him very irritating […]He’s lived quite a life and drives a flash car, but all is not quite what it seems. It’s not all kosher.”[2]
The role was given to Bobby Davro, known to the British audience as a 1980s comic, impressionist, and a 1990s children's TV presenter.[3] Davro has revealed that he auditioned for the role on the advice of actress Barbara Windsor, who plays landlady Peggy Mitchell: "It’s through her really that I got this chance."[4] Bobby Davro was said to be "chuffed" when he got the part. He has commented: "EastEnders is a high-profile show, but I'm already used to the attention which being on telly brings […] I love the part and I’m learning. I’m still trying not to look straight at the camera, that’s the entertainer in me! Everyone has just been fantastic […] This is so exciting for me. I want to go in and really work hard and see myself get better […] I’ve never really acted before…I’m enjoying learning the trade."[5][4]
Davro is one of several comedians or comic actors to be given a role in EastEnders, a tradition that goes back to 1987, when comedian Mike Reid was cast as Frank Butcher. The casting of a comedian in a dramatic role was highly controversial at the time, but over the years the wisdom of that decision was proved, as Frank became one of the show's most popular and iconic characters.[6] Other comic actors featured in EastEnders include Barbara Windsor (known for her roles in Carry On films) as Peggy Mitchell , and entertainer Shane Richie, who played Alfie Moon. Vince has been described as a "chip off the old block" from former characters such as Frank and Alfie, with reports even claiming that he is being used as Alfie's replacement.[3] Davro has commented on the comparison between his character and Shane Richie's character, Alfie: "Shane and I are big pals, we go back 20 years. We have the same sort of background and that’s probably why comparisons are being made. I don’t like that idea because Shane was such a good asset to the show. It puts a lot of pressure on me […] If [Vinnie] could be half as successful as Alfie Moon then I’d be well chuffed […] [Shane Richie] gave me some great advice…he told me to listen to the other actors and to learn your lines properly. That has helped so far…"[4]
[edit] Personality
Vinnie has been described as "a cheeky chap", a charmer, with a lot of old-fashioned values; the sort of person who would not do anyone an injustice.[4] Davro has said "he’s a very sensitive bloke is Vinnie, He’s a bit scared of commitment, scared of getting hurt […] I model him on a friend of mine, David, and also on Vince from [the BBC sitcom] Just Good Friends."[4]
[edit] Storylines
Vinnie was first seen Walford after he knocked over Shirley Carter with his car when she was on her way to court. Vinnie offered to take her to hospital but she wanted to be in court for her son, Deano Wicks. Vinnie went to court with her. He then took Shirley to hospital and later offered to give her a lift back home along with Shirley's friend Heather Trott. when they got home Vinnie gave his number and address to Shirley and told her to telephone him if she needed anything. Shirley pretended to be more injured than she really was, telling Heather, "where there's blame, there's a claim".
On 11 October Vinnie worked Shirley's shift at The Queen Victoria public house so she could get her normal wages even though she was unable to work due to a bad neck. Vinnie told Shirley she could have the wages if she agreed to a date. Shirley refused but Vinnie left the money anyway, along with another card with his phone number on.
Vinnie returned on 23 November, after Heather and Hazel Hobbs took Vinnie's card out of Shirley's handbag, and they phoned him up. Shirley wasn't impressed at first, but when Vince pulled out a bottle of wine, Shirley was quickly won over.
It was later revealed that Vinnie has a daughter named Hayley, although Heather thought Vinnie was having an affair when she heard him talking to her on the phone. It was also revealed that the car Vinnie was driving when he knocked Shirley down was not his. Shirley broke up with Vinnie but they decided to get back together. Vinnie waited for Shirley at the underground station but her watch broke and she turned up late, and he had got on the train before she arrived.
Vinnie made a return on Tuesday 8th April 2008 when he realised that he is still besotted with Shirley and returns forcing her into choosing between him and current love interest, Phil Mitchell. On Monday 14th April he got a flat in Albert Square. He later told Garry Hobbs and Minty that he had no possessions as he had spent all his money on a deposit.
[edit] References
- ^ "Davro to appear in Albert Square", BBC, 8 August 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-08.
- ^ "Bobby Davro on the Square", The Sun, 8 August 2007. Retrieved on 2007-10-17.
- ^ a b "BOBBY DAVRO TO JOIN EASTENDERS", www.contactmusic.com, 8 August 2007. Retrieved on 2007-10-17.
- ^ a b c d e "Bobby Davro on joining EastEnders", BBC, 8 October 2007. Retrieved on 2007-10-17.
- ^ "Bobby Davro's Eastenders fan phobia", www.myparkmag.co.uk, 10 October 2007. Retrieved on 2007-10-10.
- ^ Brake, Colin (1995). EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration. BBC Books. ISBN 0-563-37057-2.
