by David Neilson, who plays the beloved character Roy Cropper in Coronation Street, has a life almost as adventurous as his screen persona.
Recently, Roy was suspected of murdering Lauren Bolton, whose mysterious disappearance has kept viewers on edge. Since Roy’s arrest a few weeks ago, his loyal friends have been fighting against the shocking allegations.
The story is expected to take another dark twist, with innocent Roy facing charges for Lauren’s murder. The quirky but very kind cafe owner could be out of the show as fans may have to say goodbye to the icon.
With uncertainty surrounding Roy’s future, we examine actor David’s life outside the Roy’s Rolls counter, including his marriage to a wife who had a significant influence on his most famous character.
Life before the Cobbles
David was born in Loughborough and trained as an actor at the Primary School of Speech and Drama. While establishing his career, the now 75-year-old held various jobs, including roles as a gas fitter, plumber, ice cream seller, and barman, the Mirror reports.
Before joining the Corrie cast, David had a distinguished theater career, including writing and directing plays and teaching drama at Rose Bruford. He also starred in two Mike Leigh films – Life Is Sweet and Secrets and Lies.
In 1995, David landed the role of Roy, which quickly made him a household name – despite only signing up for six episodes. Interestingly, Roy was originally written into the soap as a temporary character who was less funny than looking after Deirdre Barlow.
However, David sympathized with Roy’s social awkwardness, transforming him from a menace to a beloved character who stayed on the show much longer than expected. Since then Roy has been central to some of the soap’s most heartbreaking storylines, giving David the stable career he always wanted.
Be on the Daily Record WhatsApp community here and get the latest news straight to your inbox.
Speaking about how the role of Roy has changed his life in an interview with the Warrington Guardian, David said: “When bills come I don’t panic and when I’m in the supermarket I don’t worry about what I put in supermarket. a basket I think that’s really the best part. I was 46 when I joined the show and I had sorted out my friends and my life and it calmed me down a bit. But it’s been really interesting to build a character over the last twenty years.”
David’s loving wife who helped shape his character
Roy and his wife Hayley were one of Coronation Street’s most loved couples, leaving the nation in tears when Hayley chose to end her life on her own terms following a terminal diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Off screen, actor David Neilson has been happily married to Jane Neilson for over half a century. Jane’s influence was instrumental in developing Roy’s character into a much more complex and interesting person.
In an interview with the Mirror in 2009, David revealed that he had quietly attributed autistic traits to Roy, recognizing Jane’s insights as a special needs teacher.
David said: “Roy was a psychopath. He was stalking Deirdre and it was a bit scary. It’s nice to play psychos but they don’t stick around too long.”
He continued, crediting his wife: “My wife is a special needs teacher and has worked with autistic people. She said that Roy might have Asperger’s syndrome, which makes him autistic. socially, rather than threateningly. so it’s my wife I owe.”
David added: “It’s not mentioned in the story though and Roy shouldn’t be human, and a label doesn’t help him. But I think he’s got it. It gives him reasons for his behavior and it gives me something. play. I love idiosyncrasies in people and Roy is full of them.”
David and Jane are parents to their grown son, Daniel, and they love their role as grandparents to two young granddaughters.
Sunny escapes
David Neilson has also spoken openly about his need for anonymity away from the cameras. After rising to fame in 2002, the actor revealed that he now splits his time between Spain and England with his wife Jane to maintain a sense of normalcy.
Speaking to the Mirror, David explained: “I have to get away from Roy and be myself and they don’t know Roy in Barcelona. If I’m in Spain for a few days I forget what I do for a living, which is the important thing.”
He continued: “It means when I come back and someone shouts ‘Roy’, I forget for a moment that they’re talking to me. And it’s only a couple of hours on the plane so I can travel to Manchester quite easily.”
Reflecting Roy’s passion for knowledge, David shared another reason for their move abroad: “Another reason we moved was excitement. I like doing different things and it was good to learn a language and get into a different culture . Our son Daniel left for university and we were in Bristol in a big house and we thought, ‘What are we going to do?’
Coronation Street is shown on ITV1 at 8pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Get the latest jokes and TV news straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.
