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Connor McIntyre as Coro villain Pat Phelan

The names of Richard Hillman, Tony Gordon and Charlie Stubbs may still send a shudder up the spines of Coronation Street residents. Actor Connor McIntyre is delighted that Pat Phelan is now part of this dastardly line-up.

WARNING: This story relates to the up-to-date Coro episodes, so will contain spoilers for viewers of the 2016/17 episodes.

Actor Connor McIntyre is thrilled that his alter ego Pat Phelan has joined the ranks of the most evil characters to have stepped across the cobbles of Coronation Street.

The list of Coro villains is a long and notoriously esteemed one, featuring the likes of serial killer Richard Hillman, Tony Gordon, John Stape, Karl Munro, Kirsty Soames, Rob Donovan, Charlie Stubbs, Maya Shama, Jez Quigley and Alan Bradley.

McIntyre, whose character of Pat Phelan has now been killed off, is content to reflect on the honour of being a major part of Coro Street history.

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McIntyre was born nine days before the first episode of Coronation Street went out and feels privileged to have been part of the legacy.

"It's a great privilege when you think of the iconic characters and the history of the show," says McIntyre.

"I was born nine days before the first episode went out (on December 9, 1960), so we grew up with it. To be part of that – my mum, God rest her soul, would be very pleased."

Pat Phelan has featured on the Street for the past five years, with his evil deeds growing in intensity.

McIntyre believes the writers have done a fantastic job in moulding Phelan into such an alluring villain.

He believes the fact that Phelan was not always an out-and-out baddie made him magnetic.

"He is a dangerous narcissist – he's a cat in a world of mice," says McIntyre of Phelan. "He can be very spiteful, very vindictive, a horrible character in many ways.

"But is he evil? Is it as simple as that? I think one of the things that has given Pat Phelan longevity is the fact that we see qualities in him that are very human.

"People often say to me, 'We know there's a good man there fighting to get out'. We can see a sense of decency in there somewhere but, because of his pathology, he makes bad choice after bad choice.

"There is still a side to Phelan that's quite likeable, though, and as a villain, that's what's given him traction."

Sitting down to chat with the TV Guide in Manchester, it is immediately clear that 57-year-old McIntyre is far removed from his on-screen character. Where Phelan is cruel and conniving, the actor is charming and compelling.

McIntyre is a talented artist – scarcely a pastime you can imagine Phelan undertaking.

McIntyre, who in a long career has also starred in Casualty, Wire In The Blood, Murder City, See No Evil, Law And Order, and London's Burning, admits it felt the right time to leave Coro.

"As always, it's sad to lose the people you've grown close to," he says. "But it's been some ride, hasn't it? ... The opportunities I've been given to play out have been amazing. It's the right time, though.

"The viewers have really stuck with us all the way through. We've tested their patience and it's a fit time for it to conclude, but tinged with sadness."

Now McIntyre will have to grow accustomed to life without Coronation Street.

"It's probably best to state I'm available for work now," he smiles.

"I think leaving any part that you've been really invested in is a period of recalibration. You're used to going in every day and generating that level of adrenalin. So a few weeks after, you have to get used to that and put it down as concluded.

"If I can make an analogy, I do a bit of painting and when a painting goes out the door and a customer buys it, there's a time that you go, 'That was nice, but I'm glad now that it's in someone else's hands'.

"So now the Phelan story has got its own momentum. It's nothing to do with me really what goes on.

"Phelan is now part of Corrie lore, whatever happens. His story has got its own life within the history of Coronation Street."

McIntyre will not have long to put his feet up, though. He is set to star in a pantomime in Manchester.

He will be playing one of the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella alongside Les Dennis, who was also in Coro Street as Michael Rodwell, Gail's husband and Phelan's first victim.

Please note: TVNZ 1 is screening an episode of Coronation Street this week on Tuesday night. This is to make up for only one episode being screened on Thursday night, because of an extra-long MasterChef Australia.

Coronation Street, TVNZ 1, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

 - TV Guide