Coronation Street star David Neilson has appeared to confirm that Roy Cropper won’t be returning to the ITV soap.
The 72-year old actor has been part of Corrie since 1995, and involved in hugely emotional storylines including the assisted suicide of his wife, Hayley, and the hate crime storyline involving niece Nina Lucas.
And Roy made the decision to leave the cobbles after lying to the police in order to protect Abi Webster after the tragic death of her son, Seb.
Roy couldn’t cope with the guilt, so sold his car and left Roy’s Rolls to Nina before accepting a chef’s job in South Africa – departing in a taxi in the way that is typical for Corrie exits.
And now, chatting to Inside Soap, it appears Roy has departed for good.
(Image: ITV)
He told the publication: “I’m 72, obviously. When Corrie aired Norris’ funeral, we had a scene with the hearse pulling up – and because of Malcolm Hebden, I thought: ‘I’m really sorry that I won’t get to work with him again.’
“But there are two exits in this for me: one for the character and one for David. Hopefully they won’t coincide – maybe they will.
“I know Roy leaving will get a reaction. It’s a big part of your life and a big part of that popular culture. He will be remembered for a long while.”
In another huge hint that Roy has gone for good, David’s iMDB page has been updated to reflect that he starred in Coronation Street from 1995-2021.
(Image: ITV)
He didn’t, however, confirm for definite whether Roy will be back or not – though fans are certainly hoping it’s the former.
Speaking about his character over the years, David said he got “abuse” at first because Roy was initially seen as “creepy”.
But as he went through various storylines, including supporting Hayley through her journey as the first ever transgender soap character, Roy endeared himself in the nation’s hearts.
He added that fans now generally leave him alone, or “just smile and put their thumbs up”.
(Image: Inside Soap)
Fans were emotional during Roy’s heartbreaking final scenes, as he told Nina: “One day I hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me. This is my only hope of peace. I must go away and atone.”
Roy had told the police that Abi wasn’t holding a gun when she threatened to kill Corey Brent – the same gun which drug lord Harvey used to murder Natasha Blakeman, leaving her son Sam mute in his grief.
A similarly devastated Nina appealed to her uncle’s kind nature as she begged: “You know when I was beaten up it was you that brought me back.
“It was your voice I could hear as I drifted in and out of consciousness. My dad left me because he had no choice. Please don’t do this to me Roy.
“You’re the one person in the whole world that I trust and I love you.”
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV from 7:30pm.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
