Roy Cropper
Encyclopedia
Royston "Roy" Cropper, is a fictional character
in the UK television ITV
soap opera
, Coronation Street
. Portrayed by actor
David Neilson
, the character was introduced during the episode airing on 19 July 1995. Originally a secondary character, he was given a more prominent role in 1997, by the executive producer of Coronation Street, Brian Park. Roy has been featured in numerous high-profile storylines, most notably marrying the first transsexual character in British soap, Hayley Patterson
(formerly Harold), played by Julie Hesmondhalgh
.
) flats in Crimea Street. Roy had an unhappy childhood. His father, a French polisher, walked out on his mother when he was ten, and did not get in touch for eight years after starting a new life in New Zealand. Young Roy took this badly. He hated his stepfather and eventually left home to fend for himself.
Roy has the look and manner of the archetypal “anorak
”. His keen interest in the wellbeing of his fellow man is easily mistaken for nosiness, and he is almost evicted from the flats for pestering Deirdre Rachid when he is worried about her welfare. He has also displayed a caring attitude to both young Jamie Armstrong (Joseph Gilgun
) and Liz McDonald
(Beverley Callard
) after she was beaten up by her husband Jim
(Charles Lawson
). Jamie’s mother, Tricia Armstrong (Tracy Brabin
), takes advantage of Roy’s helpful nature.
Roy buys Alma Baldwin (Amanda Barrie
)'s share of her cafe for £35,000, partnering with Gail Platt
(Helen Worth
). After Gail leaves the business, the cafe is renamed “Roy’s Rolls” and Roy moves into the upstairs flat. A major chapter opens in Roy’s life when, in February 1998, he meets Hayley Patterson, with whom he instantly finds a rapport. Like himself, she is shy and naive; they find they have a lot in common. However, after an intimate dinner, Hayley reveals that she is a pre-operative transsexual, born male but assuming the identity of a woman. Roy reacts badly, rejecting Hayley and going into a depression. Alma intervenes and Roy, missing his companion, decides he has been hasty. Their relationship continues as friendship, until Hayley leaves to have a sex change in Amsterdam. Roy misses her anyway, he traces her steps to Amsterdam, which results in her returning to Weatherfield. They move in together and Roy soon proposes to Hayley, who has to tearfully decline, due to the legal situation surrounding marriage for transsexuals. More problems arise when the rest of Weatherfield discover Hayley's secret. Roy is embarrassed but, following various arguments, pledges to stand by Hayley and once again proposes and she happily accepts. However, when they go to see a vicar, he refuses to marry them, quoting the Bible. Roy is disappointed but is still determined. He meets Jessica Lundy (Olwen May), the temporary lady curate for St Paul’s church, and after some deliberation, she agrees to marry them. The church ceremony is due to take place on 21 April 1999, but was ruined by Les Battersby (Bruce Jones), who has tipped off the press. A devastated Roy and Hayley return to the cafe, thinking the ceremony a washout, but, after a moment of inspiration from Roy, they are married in the cafe. During the reception, Hayley reveals to Roy she had changed her name by deed poll
to Hayley Cropper.
Roy and Hayley's desire for a child leads to them attempting foster care parenting. They foster Fiz Brown (Jennie McAlpine
) in 2001, who causes them various problems, and get entangled in the problems of another troubled child, Wayne Hayes (Gary Damer). They refuse to give him back to his volatile stepfather and abduct him. They are caught and arrested, jeopardizing their plans to adopt, although they are cleared when Wayne's domestic situation is exposed. In 2003, Tracy Barlow
(Kate Ford
) uses their desperation for a child to her advantage, and her lies nearly end the Croppers' relationship. For a bet, Tracy beds Roy by spiking his drink at a wedding reception, and then announces she is pregnant with his child. Hayley is devastated by his 'betrayal', but after she leaves Roy and he attemptes suicide, she returns and the Croppers agree when Tracy offers to sell her baby to him. In order to secure his relationship with the unborn child, Roy decides to marry Tracy. As Roy and Hayley's union was never made official due to her being a transsexual, Roy is able to wed Tracy in a marriage of convenience
. Tracy gives birth to a little girl, and hands her to the Croppers, who name her Patience. However, Tracy eventually reveals that she did not even have sex with Roy and that the real father is Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson
). They reluctantly return the child to Tracy who is renamed Amy Barlow. Roy and Tracy's marriage is subsequently annulled.
In early 2005, Roy is bullied by builder Vince (Conrad Nelson). Vince's arrival brings up many unpleasant memories for Roy, as he recounts to Hayley the physical and psychological torture he suffered in his youth. When he is in the cafe by himself, Vince comes in and demands a free meal. When Roy refuses, Vince plunges Roy's face into the scalding hot fry-up and beats him with a spatula, and is only stopped by Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward
), who warns Vince not to return to the street.
In 2007, Hayley opts to keep her adult son (born during her prior life as a man) from Roy, and he is incensed when he eventually discovers the truth. Their marriage nearly ends. However, with support from his employee Becky Granger (Katherine Kelly
) (whose life was turned around by the Croppers' support), Roy realises the error of his ways, and makes peace with Hayley before she departs to do charity work in Africa.
In 2008, Roy enters into a row with some violent men in the cafe, and after the police wrongly investigate because of Roy attempting to return a lost phone that one of the men had left in the cafe, the police get the idea that Roy and Ken Barlow (William Roache
) are dealing drugs to the men, resulting in him and Ken being arrested. However, after the police experience a confrontation from Becky, they are set free.
In November 2009, Roy finds Tony Gordon
(Gray O'Brien
) lying half conscious outside Underworld after he has suffered a heart attack. Roy calls the ambulance and Tony is rushed to hospital. With many unsuccessful attempts upon arrival, Roy is ordered by the doctor and Tony to contact his fiancée Maria Connor (Samia Smith
) who is visiting her parents in Cyprus
. Roy is shocked when Tony, thinking he is going to die, confesses his involvement in Liam Connor
(Rob James-Collier
)'s murder a year previously. Unfortunately for Tony, he fully recovers but Roy, still shocked at what Tony has done, fails a number of times to persuade him to confess to Maria, who was married to Liam, the truth about his death. However, Tony threatens to kill Roy and Hayley. Roy is terrified and tells Hayley what has happened. They decide to report him to the police, resulting in Tony's subsequent arrest. Despite this the police decide to set him free as there was not enough evidence to prove his guilt. Tony comes to the café to take his revenge holding a kitchen knife. Whilst Roy is sitting down beside the riverbank bat-watching, Tony with the knife, decides to murder Roy but fails to sneak up upon him. They begin brawling and Tony pushes him into the canal. Tony watches at the bridge whilst Roy struggles to reach the surface screaming for help, because he cannot swim. Tony has second thoughts, and dives into the canal to save him, reaches him and brings Roy back into consciousness. He walks off, hands himself in to the police for the murder of Liam, while Roy lies there to be found by Hayley and Becky. After hearing in hospital that Tony has handed himself in Roy decides, based on that and the fact Tony pulled him out of the canal, that there may still be some good in him.
In 2010, he and Hayley become engaged but tensions over the event cause Hayley to leave and she moves in with Anna Windass
(Debbie Rush
). A few weeks after this, in early June, Tony returns and is eager for revenge. After Tony's henchman Robbie (James Fleet
) tricks Hayley to go to Underworld, she is held at gun point and tied up before Tony makes his appearance. Maria arrives back in Weatherfield and goes into UnderWorld, wanting to speak with Carla Connor
(Alison King
) (unaware she and Hayley were being held hostage by Tony), and in an attempt to calm him down shows him pictures taken of Liam Jr. and is, afterwards, held at gun point by Tony. Knowing he will not shoot her, Maria walks out of the factory and runs into Roy who tries to enter the factory but cannot - Tony claims he will kill Hayley as revenge. Carla pleads with Tony to let Hayley go, claiming she had cast the first stone when she had an affair with Liam. Tony lets Hayley go and later sets fire to the factory and the pair are reunited. Roy tells Hayley he loves her and they look on as the factory blows up, just moments after Carla escapes the burning building and Tony dies in the explosion.
On 30 August 2010, Roy and Hayley legally become husband and wife. Despite some glitches, such as Hayley being late for the ceremony due to some interference by scorned would-be wedding planner Mary Taylor (Pattie Clare
), the couple get married. In December 2010, a huge explosion tears through 'The Joinery' Bar, further causing a tram to derail and crash on to the cobbles. Roy then opens the café as a refuge for the injured and tends to them by providing food and drink for everyone as the events unfold.
In April 2011, Roy is shocked to receive a letter from his mother, Sylvia (Stephanie Cole
) saying his step father who he was never very close to had died. A few days later Sylvia turned up to give Roy a train set which he had as a child, Roy was delighted with the train set but tried to avoid talking to Sylvia. After Hayley takes Sylvia home and sees that she is living in an old peoples home, Hayley attempts to get Roy to let Sylvia live with them he eventually agrees and Sylvia moves in with them. In June 2011, Roy does not want to go to Scotland with Hayley and leave Sylvia looking after the cafe but he eventually trusts her and he and Hayley leave for Scotland for a few weeks.
, is introduced in July 1995 as "a rather odd and scary loner" living in a block of flats near the long-running character Deirdre Rachid
(Anne Kirkbride
). Actor David Neilson got the part on the recommendation of Coronation Street writer Stephen Mallatratt
, a close friend of Neilson's who helped to "mould the character". According to Neilson, the character was initially only brought in for six episodes, but the role was extended and Roy was made into a regular character.
Described primarily as an "incidental character", Roy is not given any significant storylines until 1997. Behind the scenes, the soap was going through a period of change. Coronation Street was lagging behind the BBC
's rival soap EastEnders
in the ratings, so a new executive producer, Brian Park
, was brought in to revitalise the show and attract younger viewers. Aside from multiple axings and introducing various dramatic storylines, Park also decided to give some of the less prominent existing characters a much higher profile; among them was Roy Cropper, who was brought to the forefront of the soap throughout 1997 and 1998, taking over a share in Gail Platt
's (Helen Worth
) cafe (changing its name to Roy’s Rolls). This gave the character more screen time and, gradually, he was incorporated into the lives of other characters.
, villainous character whose tenure would last for only six episodes. Neilson described the character as "scary", and "a bit like Norman Bates
in [the horror film] Psycho
". However, Neilson felt compelled to reinvent Cropper as a sympathetic character, socially inept, rather than menacing. His pestering of neighbour Deirdre Rachid and unusual behaviour could be explained by Asperger syndrome
—a disorder which Neilson has since attempted to portray in the character. This ultimately extended the character's screen life, turning him into a fan favourite. Misunderstood, he was almost evicted from his flats for his behaviour towards Deirdre, though he was actually only showing concern for her welfare. He was summed up by the character Mike Baldwin as “a bit of a nutter, but harmless enough”. Although it has never been officially confirmed on-screen, it has indeed been suggested by critics that Cropper has Asperger syndrome, due to his obsessive compulsive tendencies and because of his literal interpretations and miscomprehension of nuances and subtleties.
Described as "remarkably intelligent, but socially naïve", the character is a fan of buses and trains, wears a beige anorak
, scarf, woollen gloves and clutching a nylon shopping bag with a set of keys taped to the handle. Actor David Neilson has since revealed that his character's "infamous old shopping bag", complete with attached keys, were props that he introduced. The bag and keys belonged to Neilson's mother, who died shortly before he took on the role in 1995. He has commented, "My mum sadly passed away just before I started on the show and I wanted to carry something of hers. I also wanted to add my own props and develop the character. The bag carries nothing more than my script."
Despite Roy's initial "creepy" persona, viewers were eventually shown a different side to the character. He was converted from a creep to an eccentric
; A quiet and shy intellectual man, with few social skills and a penchant for trivial information, but underneath it all, a man with "a heart of gold". He has been described as compassionate, moral, sensitive and full of integrity; taking in waifs and strays and helping his neighbours whenever possible. Commenting on his character, Neilson has said, "Roy is absolutely his own person and hugely honourable. Some people think he's simple. He's not. He's a very complex man with hidden depths. And there's lots more to explore...There's something tragic about Roy. I think there is a big black cloud that follows him around and one day it is going to really dump on him."
with this storyline has given an account on its conceptualisation: "It was decided that Roy needed a girlfriend, but what kind of woman would go for Roy, or vice-versa? Ideally, she would have to be a female mirror image of himself. So the character started development and Hayley Patterson...was created. But then someone suggested something; what if she had a dark secret? What if she was transsexual!? Hayley being Harry, in her past life. After some argument and hard thinking, the idea stuck. It was a very controversial move for the long-running show... 'Corrie' had never gone this far."
Hayley's initial purpose was to boost ratings and to act as a "foil" for Roy, "to bring him out of himself a bit and show another side to the man". There were initial criticisms about the storyline and the character of Hayley from the transgender community in the UK, mainly because the actress who played Hayley was not a real transgendered person. However, as the storyline progressed, viewers and critics warmed to Roy and Hayley's romance. Hayley was finally shown to relay her secret to Roy during a candlelit meal in his cafe. Horrified, Roy rejected her, but after a period of reflection he eventually came around, resolving to remain friends with Hayley until she left for Amsterdam
to undergo a sex change
. Although the character of Hayley was only meant to be short-term, she and her relationship with Roy are so well received by viewers, that the producers of Coronation Street decide to reintroduce her. On-screen, Roy tracks down Hayley and they reunite in a special set of episodes, shot on location in Amsterdam in the Netherlands; Hayley is persuaded to return to Weatherfield
with Roy and rebuild their relationship.
Actor David Neilson has complimented the storyline, describing the writing as "absolutely beautiful", and Roy and Hayley are now considered to be one of Coronation Street's "classic" couples.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the UK television ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
. Portrayed by actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
David Neilson
David Neilson
David Neilson is an English actor best known for portraying Roy Cropper in Coronation Street from 1995 onwards....
, the character was introduced during the episode airing on 19 July 1995. Originally a secondary character, he was given a more prominent role in 1997, by the executive producer of Coronation Street, Brian Park. Roy has been featured in numerous high-profile storylines, most notably marrying the first transsexual character in British soap, Hayley Patterson
Hayley Cropper
Hayley Anne Cropper is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street...
(formerly Harold), played by Julie Hesmondhalgh
Julie Hesmondhalgh
Julie Hesmondhalgh is an English actress.Hesmondhalgh was born in Accrington, Lancashire. As a teenager, she was moderately interested in acting, but wished to become a social worker. She applied to drama school to be with her friends, and studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art...
.
Storylines
Roy Cropper is first introduced in 1995 when he purchases one of Mike Baldwin's (Johnny BriggsJohnny Briggs (actor)
Johnny Briggs, MBE is an English actor. He is best known for his role as Mike Baldwin in the soap opera Coronation Street, in which he appeared from 1976 to 2006...
) flats in Crimea Street. Roy had an unhappy childhood. His father, a French polisher, walked out on his mother when he was ten, and did not get in touch for eight years after starting a new life in New Zealand. Young Roy took this badly. He hated his stepfather and eventually left home to fend for himself.
Roy has the look and manner of the archetypal “anorak
Anorak (slang)
In British slang an anorak is a person who has a very strong interest, perhaps obsessive, in niche subjects. This interest may be unacknowledged or not understood by the general public...
”. His keen interest in the wellbeing of his fellow man is easily mistaken for nosiness, and he is almost evicted from the flats for pestering Deirdre Rachid when he is worried about her welfare. He has also displayed a caring attitude to both young Jamie Armstrong (Joseph Gilgun
Joseph Gilgun
Joseph William Gilgun is an English actor best known for playing Eli Dingle in ITV's Emmerdale, Woody in the film This Is England and Rudy Wade in series 3 of E4's Misfits.-Biography:...
) and Liz McDonald
Liz McDonald
Elizabeth "Liz" Jayne McDonald is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Beverley Callard, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 October 1989 and remained on the series until Callard opted to leave in 1998...
(Beverley Callard
Beverley Callard
Beverley Jane McEwan is an English actress, best known for her role as Liz McDonald in ITV's Coronation Street, and Flo Henshaw in BBC Three's Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.-Early life:Beverley Jane Moxon was born in Leeds on 28 March 1957 to Clive and Mavis Moxon...
) after she was beaten up by her husband Jim
Jim McDonald (Coronation Street)
James "Jim" McDonald is a fictional character in the British television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Charles Lawson, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 October 1989...
(Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson is a Northern Irish film and television actor.-Early life and education:He was born Quintin Charles Devenish Lawson in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland,...
). Jamie’s mother, Tricia Armstrong (Tracy Brabin
Tracy Brabin
Tracy Brabin is an English actress and television writer.Brabin is best remembered for her roles as clumsy waitress Sandra opposite David Jason in A Bit of a Do , Tricia Armstrong in Coronation Street from 1994 to 1997 and Ginny in Richard Harris's Outside Edge...
), takes advantage of Roy’s helpful nature.
Roy buys Alma Baldwin (Amanda Barrie
Amanda Barrie
Amanda Barrie is an English actress.-Career:Born as Shirley Anne Broadbent, Barrie attended St Anne's College, St Anne's on Sea. She then trained at the Arts Educational School in London and later at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School...
)'s share of her cafe for £35,000, partnering with Gail Platt
Gail Platt
Gail McIntyre is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Helen Worth, the character first appeared on screen on 12 July 1974...
(Helen Worth
Helen Worth
Helen Worth is an English actress, best known for her portrayal of the Coronation Street character Gail McIntyre- Early life :...
). After Gail leaves the business, the cafe is renamed “Roy’s Rolls” and Roy moves into the upstairs flat. A major chapter opens in Roy’s life when, in February 1998, he meets Hayley Patterson, with whom he instantly finds a rapport. Like himself, she is shy and naive; they find they have a lot in common. However, after an intimate dinner, Hayley reveals that she is a pre-operative transsexual, born male but assuming the identity of a woman. Roy reacts badly, rejecting Hayley and going into a depression. Alma intervenes and Roy, missing his companion, decides he has been hasty. Their relationship continues as friendship, until Hayley leaves to have a sex change in Amsterdam. Roy misses her anyway, he traces her steps to Amsterdam, which results in her returning to Weatherfield. They move in together and Roy soon proposes to Hayley, who has to tearfully decline, due to the legal situation surrounding marriage for transsexuals. More problems arise when the rest of Weatherfield discover Hayley's secret. Roy is embarrassed but, following various arguments, pledges to stand by Hayley and once again proposes and she happily accepts. However, when they go to see a vicar, he refuses to marry them, quoting the Bible. Roy is disappointed but is still determined. He meets Jessica Lundy (Olwen May), the temporary lady curate for St Paul’s church, and after some deliberation, she agrees to marry them. The church ceremony is due to take place on 21 April 1999, but was ruined by Les Battersby (Bruce Jones), who has tipped off the press. A devastated Roy and Hayley return to the cafe, thinking the ceremony a washout, but, after a moment of inspiration from Roy, they are married in the cafe. During the reception, Hayley reveals to Roy she had changed her name by deed poll
Deed poll
A deed poll is a legal document binding only to a single person or several persons acting jointly to express an active intention...
to Hayley Cropper.
Roy and Hayley's desire for a child leads to them attempting foster care parenting. They foster Fiz Brown (Jennie McAlpine
Jennie McAlpine
Jennie Elizabeth McAlpine is a British television actress and comedienne. She is best known for her role as Fiz Stape in the well known British soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:...
) in 2001, who causes them various problems, and get entangled in the problems of another troubled child, Wayne Hayes (Gary Damer). They refuse to give him back to his volatile stepfather and abduct him. They are caught and arrested, jeopardizing their plans to adopt, although they are cleared when Wayne's domestic situation is exposed. In 2003, Tracy Barlow
Tracy Barlow
Tracy Lynette Barlow is a fictional character in the British television soap opera Coronation Street. She is currently portrayed, since 2002, by Kate Ford, the latest in a series of actresses who have played Tracy at various ages...
(Kate Ford
Kate Ford
Kate Connerty is a British actress best known for playing the role of Tracy Barlow in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 2002 to 2007. Kate returned to Coronation Street on Christmas Eve 2010....
) uses their desperation for a child to her advantage, and her lies nearly end the Croppers' relationship. For a bet, Tracy beds Roy by spiking his drink at a wedding reception, and then announces she is pregnant with his child. Hayley is devastated by his 'betrayal', but after she leaves Roy and he attemptes suicide, she returns and the Croppers agree when Tracy offers to sell her baby to him. In order to secure his relationship with the unborn child, Roy decides to marry Tracy. As Roy and Hayley's union was never made official due to her being a transsexual, Roy is able to wed Tracy in a marriage of convenience
Marriage of convenience
A marriage of convenience is a marriage contracted for reasons other than the reasons of relationship, family, or love. Instead, such a marriage is orchestrated for personal gain or some other sort of strategic purpose, such as political marriage. The phrase is a calque of - a marriage of...
. Tracy gives birth to a little girl, and hands her to the Croppers, who name her Patience. However, Tracy eventually reveals that she did not even have sex with Roy and that the real father is Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson
Simon Gregson
Simon Gregson is an English actor. He is known for being a cast member of the British soap opera Coronation Street in which he has played Steve McDonald since 1989....
). They reluctantly return the child to Tracy who is renamed Amy Barlow. Roy and Tracy's marriage is subsequently annulled.
In early 2005, Roy is bullied by builder Vince (Conrad Nelson). Vince's arrival brings up many unpleasant memories for Roy, as he recounts to Hayley the physical and psychological torture he suffered in his youth. When he is in the cafe by himself, Vince comes in and demands a free meal. When Roy refuses, Vince plunges Roy's face into the scalding hot fry-up and beats him with a spatula, and is only stopped by Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward
Bill Ward (actor)
Bill Ward is an English actor who played Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street.-Biography:He completed a degree in History at Bristol University. He is a former advertising executive. After Coronation Street, he had a role in the ITV series Cold Blood with Pauline Quirke...
), who warns Vince not to return to the street.
In 2007, Hayley opts to keep her adult son (born during her prior life as a man) from Roy, and he is incensed when he eventually discovers the truth. Their marriage nearly ends. However, with support from his employee Becky Granger (Katherine Kelly
Katherine Kelly (actress)
Katherine Kelly, is a British actress and recording artist who is most well known for playing Becky McDonald in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. She has also starred in the film Mischief Night.-Early life and career:...
) (whose life was turned around by the Croppers' support), Roy realises the error of his ways, and makes peace with Hayley before she departs to do charity work in Africa.
In 2008, Roy enters into a row with some violent men in the cafe, and after the police wrongly investigate because of Roy attempting to return a lost phone that one of the men had left in the cafe, the police get the idea that Roy and Ken Barlow (William Roache
William Roache
William Patrick Harry Roache MBE is a British actor, best known for his role as Ken Barlow in the soap opera Coronation Street...
) are dealing drugs to the men, resulting in him and Ken being arrested. However, after the police experience a confrontation from Becky, they are set free.
In November 2009, Roy finds Tony Gordon
Tony Gordon
Anthony "Tony" Gordon was a fictional character in the itv soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by actor Gray O'Brien. The character first appeared on screen on 16 September 2007 and making his final appearance on 9 June 2010 after deciding to sacrifice himself in the Underworld fire. He is a...
(Gray O'Brien
Gray O'Brien
Gray O'Brien is a Scottish television and film actor, best known for his portrayal of the villainous Weatherfield businessman Tony Gordon in the popular British soap opera Coronation Street from 2007 to 2010, and as Dr Richard McCaig on Casualty from 1996 to 1998.O'Brien was born in Stewarton,...
) lying half conscious outside Underworld after he has suffered a heart attack. Roy calls the ambulance and Tony is rushed to hospital. With many unsuccessful attempts upon arrival, Roy is ordered by the doctor and Tony to contact his fiancée Maria Connor (Samia Smith
Samia Smith
Samia Maxine Ghadie , is an English actress best known for playing Maria Connor in the ITV Soap Coronation Street.-Early life:...
) who is visiting her parents in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. Roy is shocked when Tony, thinking he is going to die, confesses his involvement in Liam Connor
Liam Connor
Liam Barrington Connor is a fictional character from the British ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street, played by Rob James-Collier from 2006 to 2008.-Creation:...
(Rob James-Collier
Rob James-Collier
Robert James-Collier is a British actor and model. He is known for his roles as Liam Connor in Coronation Street and as Thomas on Downton Abbey.- Background :James-Collier was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester...
)'s murder a year previously. Unfortunately for Tony, he fully recovers but Roy, still shocked at what Tony has done, fails a number of times to persuade him to confess to Maria, who was married to Liam, the truth about his death. However, Tony threatens to kill Roy and Hayley. Roy is terrified and tells Hayley what has happened. They decide to report him to the police, resulting in Tony's subsequent arrest. Despite this the police decide to set him free as there was not enough evidence to prove his guilt. Tony comes to the café to take his revenge holding a kitchen knife. Whilst Roy is sitting down beside the riverbank bat-watching, Tony with the knife, decides to murder Roy but fails to sneak up upon him. They begin brawling and Tony pushes him into the canal. Tony watches at the bridge whilst Roy struggles to reach the surface screaming for help, because he cannot swim. Tony has second thoughts, and dives into the canal to save him, reaches him and brings Roy back into consciousness. He walks off, hands himself in to the police for the murder of Liam, while Roy lies there to be found by Hayley and Becky. After hearing in hospital that Tony has handed himself in Roy decides, based on that and the fact Tony pulled him out of the canal, that there may still be some good in him.
In 2010, he and Hayley become engaged but tensions over the event cause Hayley to leave and she moves in with Anna Windass
Anna Windass
Anna Windass is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Debbie Rush, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 14 November 2008.-Creation and casting:...
(Debbie Rush
Debbie Rush
Debbie Rush is an English actress. She is currently playing the role of Anna Windass in Coronation Street.After training at the Manchester School Of Acting when she was in her thirties, she has also starred in Shameless and Hollyoaks in the City. Rush also filmed the role of "Pam" in the horror...
). A few weeks after this, in early June, Tony returns and is eager for revenge. After Tony's henchman Robbie (James Fleet
James Fleet
James Edward Fleet is an English actor. He is most famous for his roles as the bumbling and well-meaning Tom in the 1994 British romantic comedy film Four Weddings and a Funeral, and the dim-witted Hugo Horton in the BBC situation comedy television series The Vicar of Dibley.-Personal life:Fleet...
) tricks Hayley to go to Underworld, she is held at gun point and tied up before Tony makes his appearance. Maria arrives back in Weatherfield and goes into UnderWorld, wanting to speak with Carla Connor
Carla Connor
Carla Connor is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional town of Weatherfield. She is portrayed by actress Alison King. Carla was created by producer Steve Frost as part of the new Connor family....
(Alison King
Alison King
Alison King is an English actress. She has had major television roles as Lynda Block in the Sky One television series Dream Team, and as Carla Connor in Coronation Street since 2006.- Early life and education :...
) (unaware she and Hayley were being held hostage by Tony), and in an attempt to calm him down shows him pictures taken of Liam Jr. and is, afterwards, held at gun point by Tony. Knowing he will not shoot her, Maria walks out of the factory and runs into Roy who tries to enter the factory but cannot - Tony claims he will kill Hayley as revenge. Carla pleads with Tony to let Hayley go, claiming she had cast the first stone when she had an affair with Liam. Tony lets Hayley go and later sets fire to the factory and the pair are reunited. Roy tells Hayley he loves her and they look on as the factory blows up, just moments after Carla escapes the burning building and Tony dies in the explosion.
On 30 August 2010, Roy and Hayley legally become husband and wife. Despite some glitches, such as Hayley being late for the ceremony due to some interference by scorned would-be wedding planner Mary Taylor (Pattie Clare
Pattie Clare
Patti Clare is an English actress, best known for playing the part of Mary Taylor in ITV drama Coronation Street from 2008. Previous roles included an appearance in Doctor Who and in a spinoff episode of Torchwood.-External links:...
), the couple get married. In December 2010, a huge explosion tears through 'The Joinery' Bar, further causing a tram to derail and crash on to the cobbles. Roy then opens the café as a refuge for the injured and tends to them by providing food and drink for everyone as the events unfold.
In April 2011, Roy is shocked to receive a letter from his mother, Sylvia (Stephanie Cole
Stephanie Cole
Stephanie Cole, OBE is an English stage, television, and film actress, best known for playing characters a great deal older than her actual age.-Early life:...
) saying his step father who he was never very close to had died. A few days later Sylvia turned up to give Roy a train set which he had as a child, Roy was delighted with the train set but tried to avoid talking to Sylvia. After Hayley takes Sylvia home and sees that she is living in an old peoples home, Hayley attempts to get Roy to let Sylvia live with them he eventually agrees and Sylvia moves in with them. In June 2011, Roy does not want to go to Scotland with Hayley and leave Sylvia looking after the cafe but he eventually trusts her and he and Hayley leave for Scotland for a few weeks.
Background
The character Royston Cropper, played by David NeilsonDavid Neilson
David Neilson is an English actor best known for portraying Roy Cropper in Coronation Street from 1995 onwards....
, is introduced in July 1995 as "a rather odd and scary loner" living in a block of flats near the long-running character Deirdre Rachid
Deirdre Barlow
Deirdre Anne Barlow is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV Granada soap opera, Coronation Street...
(Anne Kirkbride
Anne Kirkbride
Anne Kirkbride is an English actress, best known for her long-running role as Deirdre Barlow in Coronation Street which she has played for thirty-nine years.-Coronation Street:...
). Actor David Neilson got the part on the recommendation of Coronation Street writer Stephen Mallatratt
Stephen Mallatratt
Stephen Mallatratt was an English playwright and television screenwriter. He is best known for his television work on the ITV series Coronation Street, The Forsyte Saga and Island at War , and for his stage adaptation of the novel The Woman in Black...
, a close friend of Neilson's who helped to "mould the character". According to Neilson, the character was initially only brought in for six episodes, but the role was extended and Roy was made into a regular character.
Described primarily as an "incidental character", Roy is not given any significant storylines until 1997. Behind the scenes, the soap was going through a period of change. Coronation Street was lagging behind the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's rival soap EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
in the ratings, so a new executive producer, Brian Park
Brian Park
Brian Park is a Scottish television producer and executive. He was born in Fife but lived in Aberdeen’s Bucksburn between the ages of nine and 17. He acted as a child and when he was 13 he joined the Aberdeen Children’s Theatre and appeared in an episode of Dr Finlay’s Casebook.Park joined Granada...
, was brought in to revitalise the show and attract younger viewers. Aside from multiple axings and introducing various dramatic storylines, Park also decided to give some of the less prominent existing characters a much higher profile; among them was Roy Cropper, who was brought to the forefront of the soap throughout 1997 and 1998, taking over a share in Gail Platt
Gail Platt
Gail McIntyre is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Helen Worth, the character first appeared on screen on 12 July 1974...
's (Helen Worth
Helen Worth
Helen Worth is an English actress, best known for her portrayal of the Coronation Street character Gail McIntyre- Early life :...
) cafe (changing its name to Roy’s Rolls). This gave the character more screen time and, gradually, he was incorporated into the lives of other characters.
Personality
Originally, Cropper was intended as a psychopathicPsychopathy
Psychopathy is a mental disorder characterized primarily by a lack of empathy and remorse, shallow emotions, egocentricity, and deceptiveness. Psychopaths are highly prone to antisocial behavior and abusive treatment of others, and are very disproportionately responsible for violent crime...
, villainous character whose tenure would last for only six episodes. Neilson described the character as "scary", and "a bit like Norman Bates
Norman Bates
Norman Bates is a fictional character created by writer Robert Bloch as the central character in his novel Psycho, and portrayed by Anthony Perkins as the main antagonist of the 1960 film of the same name directed by Alfred Hitchcock...
in [the horror film] Psycho
Psycho (1960 film)
Psycho is a 1960 American suspense/psychological horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins. The film is based on the screenplay by Joseph Stefano, who adapted it from the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch...
". However, Neilson felt compelled to reinvent Cropper as a sympathetic character, socially inept, rather than menacing. His pestering of neighbour Deirdre Rachid and unusual behaviour could be explained by Asperger syndrome
Asperger syndrome
Asperger's syndrome that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development...
—a disorder which Neilson has since attempted to portray in the character. This ultimately extended the character's screen life, turning him into a fan favourite. Misunderstood, he was almost evicted from his flats for his behaviour towards Deirdre, though he was actually only showing concern for her welfare. He was summed up by the character Mike Baldwin as “a bit of a nutter, but harmless enough”. Although it has never been officially confirmed on-screen, it has indeed been suggested by critics that Cropper has Asperger syndrome, due to his obsessive compulsive tendencies and because of his literal interpretations and miscomprehension of nuances and subtleties.
Described as "remarkably intelligent, but socially naïve", the character is a fan of buses and trains, wears a beige anorak
Anorak
An anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
, scarf, woollen gloves and clutching a nylon shopping bag with a set of keys taped to the handle. Actor David Neilson has since revealed that his character's "infamous old shopping bag", complete with attached keys, were props that he introduced. The bag and keys belonged to Neilson's mother, who died shortly before he took on the role in 1995. He has commented, "My mum sadly passed away just before I started on the show and I wanted to carry something of hers. I also wanted to add my own props and develop the character. The bag carries nothing more than my script."
Despite Roy's initial "creepy" persona, viewers were eventually shown a different side to the character. He was converted from a creep to an eccentric
Eccentricity (behavior)
In popular usage, eccentricity refers to unusual or odd behavior on the part of an individual. This behavior would typically be perceived as unusual or unnecessary, without being demonstrably maladaptive...
; A quiet and shy intellectual man, with few social skills and a penchant for trivial information, but underneath it all, a man with "a heart of gold". He has been described as compassionate, moral, sensitive and full of integrity; taking in waifs and strays and helping his neighbours whenever possible. Commenting on his character, Neilson has said, "Roy is absolutely his own person and hugely honourable. Some people think he's simple. He's not. He's a very complex man with hidden depths. And there's lots more to explore...There's something tragic about Roy. I think there is a big black cloud that follows him around and one day it is going to really dump on him."
Romance with Hayley
As the character becomes more prominent, producers decided to introduce a romantic interest for Roy. Hayley Patterson is introduced in 1998, and her relationship with Roy turns out to be one of the more controversial storylines in Coronation Street's history, as it is later revealed that Hayley is a pre-op transsexual, born a man but assuming the identity of a woman. In an article published by "Press for Change" (a political lobbying and educational organisation, which campaigns to achieve equal civil rights and liberties for all trans people in the UK), an advisor who helped studio writers at Granada TelevisionGranada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
with this storyline has given an account on its conceptualisation: "It was decided that Roy needed a girlfriend, but what kind of woman would go for Roy, or vice-versa? Ideally, she would have to be a female mirror image of himself. So the character started development and Hayley Patterson...was created. But then someone suggested something; what if she had a dark secret? What if she was transsexual!? Hayley being Harry, in her past life. After some argument and hard thinking, the idea stuck. It was a very controversial move for the long-running show... 'Corrie' had never gone this far."
Hayley's initial purpose was to boost ratings and to act as a "foil" for Roy, "to bring him out of himself a bit and show another side to the man". There were initial criticisms about the storyline and the character of Hayley from the transgender community in the UK, mainly because the actress who played Hayley was not a real transgendered person. However, as the storyline progressed, viewers and critics warmed to Roy and Hayley's romance. Hayley was finally shown to relay her secret to Roy during a candlelit meal in his cafe. Horrified, Roy rejected her, but after a period of reflection he eventually came around, resolving to remain friends with Hayley until she left for Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
to undergo a sex change
Sex change
Sex change is a term often used for gender reassignment therapy, that is, all medical procedures transgendered people can have, or specifically to sexual reassignment surgery, which usually refers to genitalia surgery only...
. Although the character of Hayley was only meant to be short-term, she and her relationship with Roy are so well received by viewers, that the producers of Coronation Street decide to reintroduce her. On-screen, Roy tracks down Hayley and they reunite in a special set of episodes, shot on location in Amsterdam in the Netherlands; Hayley is persuaded to return to Weatherfield
Weatherfield
Weatherfield is a fictional town, based on Salford in North West England, which serves as the setting for the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street...
with Roy and rebuild their relationship.
Actor David Neilson has complimented the storyline, describing the writing as "absolutely beautiful", and Roy and Hayley are now considered to be one of Coronation Street's "classic" couples.
External links
- Analysis of Roy's character from The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
- Profile of Roy from official website of What's on TV magazine
- News story from The SunThe Sun (newspaper)The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
- News story from The Daily MirrorThe Daily MirrorThe Daily Mirror is a British national daily tabloid newspaper which was founded in 1903. Twice in its history, from 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the title on its masthead was changed to read simply The Mirror, which is how the paper is often referred to in popular parlance. It had an...