Michael Gabriel "Mike" Ritchie (previously Ricci) was a US Air Force serviceman and old flame of Maggie Clegg's who stopped by Weatherfield on his way home after leaving the service in 1973. Mike's surname had been Ricci until it was anglicised by his father. During World War II, he was stationed in Burtonwood along with GIs Steve Tanner and Gregg Flint, who he joined on their off-duty jaunts to Weatherfield. While Steve courted the glamorous Elsie Tanner, Mike pursued demure Maggie Preston, as did one of the other sergeants. Secretly dating Mike, Maggie went to the camp to see him leading everyone to assume that she was going out with the other man. Mike also knew Len Fairclough, who at this time was serving with the Royal Navy.