Vinnie Monks
Vinnie Monks | |
---|---|
EastEnders character | |
Callum Monks | |
Daughters | Hayley Monks |
Vinnie Monks is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by comedian Bobby Davro. He made his first appearance on 8 October 2007. It was announced on 19 July 2008 that Davro quit the show to do other projects. He made his final appearance on 1 December 2008.
Storylines
Vinnie is first seen in
It is later revealed that Vinnie has a daughter named Hayley, although Heather thinks Vinnie is having an affair when she hears him talking to her on the phone. Shirley breaks up with Vinnie but they decide to get back together. Vinnie waits for Shirley at the underground station but her watch breaks and she turns up late, and he had got on the train before she arrived. He returns in April 2008 as he realises that he is in love with Shirley. He spends all his money on a deposit on a flat in Walford and begs Shirley to move in with him, forcing her to choose between him and current love interest Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). When Phil shows no inclination of taking things further, a reluctant Shirley agrees to Vinnie's proposal and they begin living together. Over the next few months, Vinnie gets a job as a taxi driver at the firm run by Pat Evans (Pam St Clement) and helps organise a Best of British day at the pub when Shirley is left in charge.
Despite all this, however, things begin to deteriorate in his relationship with Shirley. Over the next few months, Shirley finds herself more in love with Phil and less in love with Vinnie. She spends less time with him, constantly going clubbing with Heather, and when Vinnie tries to be romantic by booking them a holiday, Shirley retaliates by taking Heather in his place. After she forgets his birthday, Vinnie finally confronts her, resulting in Shirley revealing her true feelings for Phil. This leads to the end of their romance as Vinnie throws Shirley out of the flat, making her homeless. He later relents and gives her the keys to the flat, moving in instead with his mates
Vinnie soon begins to feel that his life in Walford is pointless, so when an old friend offers him the chance to travel across the world in a vintage car, he immediately accepts the offer. Seeing that his ex-girlfriend Shirley is now down on her luck as Phil has a new girlfriend,
On 6 March 2009, before departing for good from the Square, Callum mentions that he is on his way to visit Vinnie. It is then revealed that Vinnie and Callum are living in Southend. In January 2012, Shirley contacts him after Phil is imprisoned and he agrees to send some work to The Arches.
Character creation and development
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]
The role was given to Bobby Davro, known to the British audience as a 1980s comic, impressionist, and a 1990s children's TV presenter.[2] 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."[3] 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."[3][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
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.[3] 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."[3]
Departure
Davro quit the show in July 2008, saying he wanted to pursue other projects. He reportedly said he wished to appear in the show from time to time, saying "I have had a fantastic year with EastEnders and made lots of friends. I hope to be back at some point."[6] However, in December 2009, it was reported that Davro had quit because he found the role boring, saying "I wish it could have been longer. But the writers didn't develop him as much as I wanted and I got bored."[7]
References
- ^ "Davro to appear in Albert Square". BBC. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
- ^ a b "BOBBY DAVRO TO JOIN EASTENDERS". www.contactmusic.com. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2007.
- ^ a b c d e "Bobby Davro on joining EastEnders". BBC. 8 October 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2007.
- ^ "Bobby Davro's Eastenders fan phobia". www.myparkmag.co.uk. 10 October 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2007.
- ISBN 978-0-563-37057-4.
- Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (9 December 2009). "Davro reveals 'EastEnders' boredom". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 December 2009.