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After almost 30 years on the Weatherfield cobbles, Roy Cropper and his beloved cafe Roy’s Rolls have become part of the Coronation Street furniture. David Neilson – the actor who plays the loveable character – first landed the job back in 1995, and since then, has been at the centre of many different storylines.
From his iconic love affair with the anorak wearing Hayley Cropper – which tragically ended following her death in 2014 – to his later relationship with the widow Cathy Matthews, David’s character has become a fan favourite. Most recently though, he’s been under suspicion by the Weatherfield residents over newcomer Lauren Bolton’s disappearance, after he was spotted searching through her belongings.
David has played the role of Roy Cropper since 1995
(Image: ITV)
Roy’s latest storyline sees the Weatherfield residents thinking he has something to do with Lauren Bolton’s disappearance
But, what do we know about the actor away from Coronation Street? From his private life in sunny Spain to his rarely seen son, here’s everything you need to know about David Neilson…
David has been with his wife for almost 50 years
Seventy four year old David has been married to his wife Jane for almost 50 years. David has credited Jane – who is a special needs teacher – for helping develop the character of Roy.
He explained that she suggested Roy could have Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. David told the Mirror in 2009: “I think he’s got it. It gives him reasons for his behaviour and gives me something to play with. I enjoy idiosyncrasies in people and Roy is full of them.
David, who has been with his wife Jane for almost 50 years, credits her for helping him develop Roy’s character
(Image: 2014 Getty Images)
“Nobody really knew what Asperger’s was back in 1995, so it’s my wife I owe it to.”
“It’s never mentioned in the story though, and it shouldn’t be – Roy is a human being, and a label doesn’t help him,” the actor added.
David and Jane have a son together
David and Jane share one son together, Daniel, who is thought to be around 40 years old. However, David rarely shines a light on his personal life, and not much is known about his family.
David and Jane share a son together called Daniel
(Image: INSTAGRAM)
But, thanks to Daniel, it was reported that the couple are doting grandparents to their son’s two children.
David lives in Spain when he’s not working on Corrie
In 2002, David and Jane swapped their life in the UK for the sunnier climate of the Mediterranean. The couple bought a place in Barcelona, Spain, with David explaining that one of the reasons for their move was to get away from the fame.
David told The Mirror of being constantly recognised: “If you are in someone’s living room three times a week you become a member of the family.”
David and Jane moved to Barcelona in 2002 to escape his overwhelming fame
(Image: 2015 Ian Forsyth/Getty)
On their relocation, he revealed that needed to “get away from Roy” and be himself. “They don’t know Roy in Barcelona,” he said, adding: “If I’m in Spain for a few days I forget what I do for a living, which is the important thing. It means when I come back and someone shouts ‘Roy’, for a moment I forget they’re actually talking to me. And it’s only a couple of hours on the plane so I can commute to Manchester easily enough.”
David also shared his and Jane’s other motives for moving to Spain. He explained that he loves trying new things and has enjoyed learning a new language and getting to know a different culture.
Plus, David added that, at the time of their move, their son Daniel had left for university. “We were in Bristol in a big house and we thought, ‘What shall we do?'” he recalled.
74 year old David had a small part in EastEnders before landing his life changing Coronation Street role
(Image: ITV)
David was once on a rival soap
Granted, there’s no other soap you can imagine David Neilson on thanks to his decades long stint as Roy Cropper. However, before he joined the Corrie cast he actually had a small part on rival soap, EastEnders. He played the role of Mr Webster, a property buyer, looking to purchase Nick Cotton’s Albert Square home.
Elsewhere, he’s also had smaller parts in Casualty, Heartbeat and Young at Heart.
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