List of Coronation Street Characters (1999) - Ray Sykes

Ray Sykes (played by Peter Guinness) arrives in Weatherfield to visit his daughter Linda Sykes when she became engaged to Mike Baldwin. Ray took an instant dislike to Baldwin, who began an affair with Linda after his separation from wife Alma Halliwell. When Baldwin and Linda married in 2000, Ray tried every trick in the book to try and destroy the wedding plans, but eventually succumbed to his daughter's pleading to let them marry. He attended the wedding despite his hatred for Baldwin. Ray got a job as a mechanic working for Kevin Webster, another resident that Ray took an instant disliking to.

Over his time on the show, Ray's attention focuses on his increasing love for resident Eileen Grimshaw. Ray spent a lot of time attempting to impress Eileen, and they eventually engaged in a romantic relationship, much to the disapproval of Eileen's sons Jason and Todd. However, Ray found it hard to cope being in the middle of Eileen's long-running feud with rival Gail Platt, and they eventually separated in early-2001, but still remained close friends and Ray managed to form a mutual friendship with Jason and Todd.

In 2000, Ray was shocked by the arrival of his ex-wife Eve Sykes, whom he hadn't seen for many years. He still loves Eve, and tries to seduce her despite being in a relationship with Eileen Grimshaw at the time, but she turns him down and she later goes on to marry Ray's friend Fred Elliott. In October 2000, Ray's enstranged son Dean tries to stage a robbery at Frencho's Supermarket along with his friend Lenny Larkin. Ray witnesses the siege from afar, which ends in the police storming into the shop and Dean getting shot and killed by a police markswoman. The incident leaves Ray in total distress for a long while after.

In February 2001, Ray's boss Kevin Webster, who saw Ray as a petty crook, accused Ray of stealing money from the safe at the garage. Ray denied it, but when the police arrived at his front door he was taken into custody and charged with burglary. Ray is imprisoned for twelve months after being found guilty as charged, although no money adding up to the amount that was stolen was found in his possession. However, in July 2001, the real culprit, David Platt, confesses to his mother Gail that he committed the crime, leading to David handing the money back over to Kevin, who decides not to press charges.

Ray returns to the street for three episodes after his release in July 2001. He moves in with daughter Linda, and tries to get his job back at the garage as Kevin has no work going for him. Ray then decides to leave Weatherfield for good and start a new life elsewhere. Before leaving he visits Eileen and confesses his love for her one last time. They kiss passionately before Ray heads of in a taxi.

In September 2001, Ray's daughter Linda states that she had received a phonecall from Ray telling her that he is living in Ireland. Linda leaves Weatherfield to stay with Ray until she can find a place of her own. She later moves to Dublin.