David Neilsen is a Coronation Street legend, having starred in the ITV soap for 26 years.
He is famed for playing the lovably awkward cafe owner of Roy Cropper on the TV cobbles, a role that he’s played since 1995.
David Neilson has done a remarkable job of keeping Roy so endearing after all these years, and it will come as a disappointment to many fans to learn that Roy may well be about to leave the soap.
That would also spell the end for the character’s beloved shopping bag, which is rarely far away from Roy during his on-screen Corrie appearances.
The actor revealed that there is actually a heartbreaking reason why the bag ever made an appearance in the first place.
Having joined the show in 1995, Roy Cropper has become nothing short of Corrie royalty. He was first introduced as Deidre Barlow’s neighbouring tenant, initially seen as a bit of a creep and a pest.
However, Roy soon blossomed into one of the cobbles most-loved characters before marrying wife Hayley, the first ever transgender woman in a British soap.
Roy works in the local cafe and is known for his poor social skills and expansive trivia knowledge. Actor David Neilson has often said that he has tried to portray Roy as having Asperger’s Syndrome, which would explain the eccentricities of the character.
(Image: ITV)
Roy Cropper is famous for his nylon shopping bag with keys strapped to the handle that he is rarely seen without.
Actor David Neilson has said 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 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.”
(Image: ITV)
Off the cobbles, actor David Neilson is 72 years old and hails from Loughborough, Leicestershire.
A lifelong Leicester City fan, Neilson regularly runs Alan Birchenall’s charity race around the King Power Stadium to raise money for awareness for prostate cancer, in memory of former Leicester City player Keith Weller.
He is also a Labour Party supporter, supporting the party at the 2011 Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election.
Neilson had a brief stint on EastEnders in the early 1990s.
Roy’s future on Coronation Street is now in doubt, following his embroilment in the scandalous storyline that sees Roy forced to lie to the police yet again about the gun that was used to kill Natasha.
Roy’s niece Nina has admitted that she is worried her uncle Roy will take his own life, due to his implication in the case.
New spoilers seem to suggest that this isn’t the case, however, and Roy will instead flee the country and head to South America where he will work as a chef.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
