Roy's Role

Admittedly, when Hayley died, I feared that Roy would have no real role other than Roy's Rolls café owner and general provider of the goods for cake run, the full English and the sausage sandwich. But I don't think I should have worried. Roy has a definite role and the cobbles is all the better for his presence. (I hope by now you been able to stop laughing at this brilliant play on words or maybe...)

Roy acts as the cobbles' yardstick. Those who accept him and like him are the good people. The ones who criticise him, who are rude and offensive to him, are the morally flawed. Who can forget Tracy's insults to both Hayley and Roy and her shocking attempt to sell them her own baby, claiming that she and Roy had slept together and that, as a result, Tracy had  become pregnant.

Roy first appeared in 1995 as a resident at one of Mike Baldwin's flats  He was initially quite taken with Deirdre and became rather overprotective towards her. Over time, that initial aspect of his character was phased out and marriage with Hayley, who was once  Harold, was the making of Royston Cropper.

It is fair to say that Roy's friendships are quite diverse. One friendship that did develop was the one between him and Carla. That was a masterstroke by the writers. It was Hayley's illness that brought them together, but even after her death they remained firm friends. The fact that they were so different in every conceivable way, worked to make their friendship all the more convincing. Maybe, one reason why an understanding grew between Carla and Roy was because of their unhappy childhoods.

Despite his unhappy childhood, Roy and Hayley became foster parents. Their aim was to offer troubled children a home where they felt valued. And good work they did too, especially when they protected Wayne Hayes from his violent stepfather.

Currently, Roy is being an excellent friend to Ken. He offered Ken a refuge, a sanctuary when he needed it most. Ken is afraid of his family and feels too vulnerable to return home. No questions asked, Roy takes Ken in. Roy's lodger, Brian, is less than keen to have Ken share his space. 'How long before you're ready to  move out?' asks Brian. Roy shuts him down. 'Ken came here for respite and all you can think of is saving your own back.' Roy reiterates to Ken, 'You can stay here as long as you like.' However, Brian cannot resist and adds. 'But there's nothing like your own bed.' In contrast to Roy's offer of an indefinite stay, Brian comes across as thoughtless and selfish.

Brian also lied to Roy when he went to a concert with Cathy. Cathy and Roy? Cathy and Brian? Surely Cathy must realise the superiority of Roy over Brian.

Roy's interests, his ways, his profound love for Hayley and his genuine kindness, all serve to make Roy Cropper one of the Street's greats.

Ruth Owen, twitter: @Ruth1722

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Sylvia and Roy on Friday's Corrie

A difficult child was how Sylvia described Roy as a little boy. He went rigid when she tried to cuddle him, even as a baby. He preferred to be in his room instead of being around people. She said it was difficult to love a child like that and he overheard her. You could tell it hurt him but she tried to explain. In the end, he actually defended her against Becky's sniping and I think maybe he's starting to realize what it must have been like from her point of view. Perhaps caring for Hope and having paternal feelings brought a new understanding for Roy?

His father left, his stepfather didn't treat him well, either. He had a lonely childhood, some of it by choice. Roy has resentment, Sylvia has regrets though she does love her son. I also think that she did the best she could. Nobody knew back then why Roy was the way he was. As she also said, people thought he was slow or weird, or both. She probably wondered the same herself, sometimes.

Roy is likely somewhat autistic or has Asperger's Syndrome and these days, though there's no cure, it's understood and there's better ways to help children and parents dealing with it. Kids learn with a different process and they can thrive when their parents are understanding and help them properly instead of getting frustrated with them for something they can't help.

We're seeing a thawing in the relationship between Roy and Sylvia, and a slow acceptance between Sylvia and Hayley and the writers and actors are making it into pure gold.

Listen! Interview with Corrie's Croppers in Canada

Julie Hesmondhalgh and David Neilson, who play Coronation Street's Roy and Hayley Cropper, are currently on tour in Canada. You can listen to a lovely little interview with Julie and David from 680news in Toronto. 

680News showbiz editor Gloria Martin talked to them at Fionn MacCool's on Bloor Street where they were preparing for a series of Canadian appearances and got some sneak previews of upcoming episodes including their long awaited wedding and their thoughts on the Royal wedding.

[Click to listen]

Want to be an actor? Take David Neilson's advice

David Neilson, who plays Coronation Street's Roy Cropper, gives some sage advice to youngsters wanting to become soap actors.

You can watch David in his video here at the ITN website.