Ram John Holder has arrived in Coronation Street playing Sarge Bailey, dad to Ed Bailey and his brother Ronnie.
The actor, whose real name is John Wesley Holder, is a Guyanese-British actor who actually started his career as a singer in New York City.
So how did he get from there to Weatherfield? Here’s Ram John’s story.
Who plays Sarge Bailey in Coronation Street?
Ram John came to Britain in the 1960s and worked first as a musician, but then he shifted his focus a little and became an actor. He trod the boards at the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and the Donmar Warehouse, before he landed a role in a film – called Two Gentlemen Sharing.
He went on to roles in many other films, though he continued to work as a musician alongside his acting roles.
Who did Ram John Holder play in Desmond’s?
In 1989, Ram John won the part of Porkpie in the Channel 4 sitcom, Desmond’s.
Desmond’s was set in a barber shop in Peckham, and had a mostly Guyanese-British cast, including Norman Beaton as Desmond Ambrose who ran the barber shop.
Ram John played Augustus Grant, known as Porkpie because of the hat he wore. He was a lollipop man and he was Desmond’s best friend and a musician.
Porkpie was such a hit with viewers that Ram John went on to star in his own spin-off called Porkpie. It featured Porkpie becoming a millionaire!
Was Ram John in EastEnders?
In 2006, Cedric Lucas – played by Ram John Holder – arrived in Walford looking for his old friend, and former band mate, Patrick Trueman.
Cedric revealed that he was dying from cancer. And after his death Denise Fox confessed that she thought he could have been her biological father, because her mother had said he was a musician.
What else has Ram John been in?
Ram John is always busy! He’s appeared in Death in Paradise, The Story of Tracy Beaker, and many more television shows. He’s also been on stage in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at the Royal Exchange in Manchester.
And in 2021 he was appointed CBE in the birthday honours list for services to music and drama.
Who does Ram John play in Coronation Street
Ram is playing Sarge Bailey. He’s the stern father of Ed and Ronnie, who’s quick to criticise Ed in particular. Ed wasn’t pleased to see his dad, because he’d been protecting him from the truth about his gambling habit (otherwise known as telling lies!).
Since Sarge arrived, Ed has confessed to his past gambling addiction, although he’s keeping very quiet about his current struggles.
We’ll see how long that lasts!
What do the viewers think of Sarge?
Sarge has only been on the cobbles a short while but he’s proving a hit with Corrie fans.
“Love grandad,” said one fan on social media.
Love Grandad
Sarge #corrie— Taz (@taz_mtn) November 27, 2023
While another said Sarge was becoming their new favourite!
Sarge is quickly becoming a new favourite of mine. I like him #Corrie
— (@TwellyWatcher) November 27, 2023
Another added: “Ok, I can vibe with Sarge. Hope he doesn’t become a problematic character, the Baileys are struggling in that department as it is.”
“I love Sarge already,” agreed one more.
We’re looking forward to seeing what he gets up to next!
Read more: Complete Coronation Street cast list 2023 – meet them all here!
Coronation Street usually airs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV.
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