Vinnie Monks

Name: Vinnie Monks
First Appeared: 8th October 2007
Last Appeared: 1st December 2008
Played by: Bobby Davro

Vinnie Monks made his entrance in Walford in a way that only he could – by accidentally knocking over Shirley Carter with his car! She was on her way to court for her son, Deano Wicks, so Vinnie offered to take her to the hospital, but she insisted on making it to court. Ever the gentleman, Vinnie accompanied her and then took her to the hospital, offering a lift home to her and her friend Heather Trott. When they got back, he gave Shirley his phone number, promising to help if she needed anything. Of course, Shirley saw a potential opportunity, telling Heather, “where there’s blame, there’s a claim.”

Vinnie even stepped in to cover Shirley’s shift at The Queen Vic so she could still get paid despite her ‘injury’. He cheekily withheld her wages unless she agreed to a date, which she initially refused. But when he gave her the money and his number anyway, Shirley was slightly won over. A few weeks later, Heather called Vinnie back, and he turned up with a bottle of wine. Despite initial reservations, Shirley warmed up to him, and they went on a date.

Things took a turn when it was revealed that Vinnie had a daughter named Hayley. A misunderstanding led Heather to think Vinnie was having an affair, causing a temporary breakup with Shirley. They patched things up, but a missed connection at the underground station saw them temporarily separated again. When Vinnie returned in April 2008, he was smitten with Shirley, spending all his money on a flat in Walford and begging her to move in, forcing her to choose between him and Phil Mitchell. When Phil didn’t step up, Shirley reluctantly agreed to move in with Vinnie.

Their relationship had its ups and downs. Vinnie got a job as a taxi driver and helped organize a Best of British day at the pub. But Shirley’s heart was increasingly with Phil. She spent less time with Vinnie and more time clubbing with Heather. When Vinnie tried to be romantic by booking a holiday, Shirley took Heather instead. After forgetting his birthday, Vinnie confronted Shirley, who confessed her feelings for Phil. Their romance ended, and Vinnie threw Shirley out, making her homeless. Later, he relented and gave her the keys, moving in with Garry Hobbs and Minty Peterson.

A month later, Vinnie returned from a holiday to find his son Callum squatting in his flat. It turned out Vinnie’s extramarital affair had caused the breakdown of his marriage, and he’d lost touch with Callum. The two reconciled, and Callum stayed. But Vinnie soon felt life in Walford was pointless. When an old friend offered him a chance to travel the world in a vintage car, he jumped at it. Seeing Shirley down on her luck, he invited her to come along. They rekindled their relationship and planned to leave Walford. However, Vinnie discovered Shirley had a one-night stand with Phil the night before. Realizing she would be settling for second best with him, Vinnie stopped the car outside Walford and told Shirley to return to Albert Square. As she made her way back, Vinnie drove off alone, heading to catch a ferry to France.