Roy Cropper

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Coronation Street character
Roy Cropper in 2007
Roy Cropper
Portrayed by David Neilson
Duration 1995—
First appearance 19 July 1995
Profile
Status Married
Home 16 Victoria Street
Occupation Owner of 'Roys Rolls' Cafe

Royston "Roy" Cropper, played by David Neilson, is a fictional character on the British television soap opera Coronation Street. The character was introduced in July 1995. Originally a secondary character, he was given a more prominent role in 1997, by the executive producer of Coronation Street, Brian Parks. Roy has been featured in numerous high-profile storylines, most notably marrying the first transsexual character in British soap, Hayley Patterson (formerly Harold).[1]

Contents

[edit] Character creation and development

[edit] Background

The character Royston Cropper, played by David Neilson, was introduced in July 1995 as "a rather odd and scary loner" living in a block of flats near the long-running character Deirdre Rachid (Anne Kirkbride).[2] Actor David Neilson got the part on the recommendation of Coronation Street writer Stephen Mallatratt, a close friend of Neilson's who helped to "mould the character".[3] According to Neilson, the character was initially only brought in for six episodes, but the role was extended and Roy was made into a regular character.[4]

Described primarily as an "incidental character", Roy was not given any significant storylines until 1997.[2] Behind the scenes, the soap was going through a period of change. Coronation Street was lagging behind the BBC's rival soap EastEnders in the ratings, so a new executive producer, Brian Parks, was brought in to revitalise the show and attract younger viewers. Dubbed the "Freddy Kruger and Axeman of Coronation Street",[5] Parks was responsible for introducing the “family from hell”, the Battersbys, and axing longer-serving characters such as Andy McDonald, Maureen Holdsworth, Bill Webster, Don Brennan, Percy Sugden and Derek Wilton.[6][7] The axing of Derek Wilton also resulted in the resignation of actress Thelma Barlow, who played Dereks's popular on-screen wife, Mavis Wilton; Barlow reportedly quit in protest, bringing a 26 year run in the soap to an end.[8] Aside from multiple axings and introducing various dramatic storylines, Parks also decided to give some of the less prominent existing characters a much higher profile. Among them, Roy Cropper, who was brought to the forefront of the soap throughout 1997 and 1998, taking over a share in Gail Platt's cafe (changing its name to Roy’s Rolls). This gave the character more screen time and, gradually, he was encorporated into the lives of other characters.[2]

[edit] Personality

Roy was initially perceived as a very different character than he went on to become. Neilson has commented that initially, Roy was "a bit like Norman Bates in [the horror film] Psycho".[3] Misunderstood, he was almost evicted from his flats for pestering his neighbour Deirdre Rachid, though he was actually only showing concern for her welfare. He was summed up by the character Mike Baldwin as “a bit of a nutter, but harmless enough”.[9] It has been suggested that Roy has Asperger's syndrome, due to his obsessive compulsive tendencies and because of his literal interpretations and miscomprehension of nuances and subtleties, though this has never been officially confirmed on-screen.[10][11]

Described as "remarkably intelligent, but socially naïve", the character is a stereotypical portrayal of an "anorak";[2] A fan of buses and trains, dressed like a geek, in a beige anorak, scarf, woollen gloves and clutching a nylon shopping bag with a set of keys taped to the handle.[12][13] Actor David Neilson has since revealed 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 has 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."[13]

Despite Roy's initial "creepy" persona,[13] viewers were eventually shown a different side to the character. He was converted from a creep to an eccentric;[14] A quiet and shy intellectual man, with few social skills and a penchant for trivial information, but underneath it all, a man with "a heart of gold".[12][9] He has been described as compassionate, moral, sensitive and full of integrity; taking in waifs and strays and helping his neighbours whenever possible.[15][16] Commenting on his character, Neilson has said, "Roy is absolutely his own person and hugely honourable. Some people think he's simple. He's not. He's a very complex man with hidden depths. And there's lots more to explore...There's something tragic about Roy. I think there is a big black cloud that follows him around and one day it is going to really dump on him."[3]

[edit] Romance with Hayley

As the character became more prominent, producers decided to introduce a romantic interest for Roy. Hayley Patterson (Julie Hesmondhalgh) was introduced in 1998, and her relationship with Roy turned out to be one of the more controversial storylines in Coronation Street's history, as it was later revealed that Hayley was a pre-op transsexual, born a man but assuming the identity of a woman.[17] In an article published by "Press for Change" (a political lobbying and educational organisation, which campaigns to achieve equal civil rights and liberties for all trans people in the UK), an advisor who helped studio writers at Granada Television with this storyline has given an account on its conceptualisation: "It was decided that Roy needed a girlfriend, but what kind of woman would go for Roy, or vice-versa? Ideally, she would have to be a female mirror image of himself. So the character started development and Hayley Patterson...was created. But then someone suggested something; what if she had a dark secret? What if she was transsexual!? Hayley being Harry, in her past life. After some argument and hard thinking, the idea stuck. It was a very controversial move for the long-running show... 'Corrie' had never gone this far."[2]

Hayley's principle purpose was to boost ratings and to act as a "foil" for Roy, "to bring him out of himself a bit and show another side to the man".[2] There were initial criticisms about the storyline and the character of Hayley from the trans gender community in the UK, mainly because the actress who played Hayley was really a woman, and not a real trans person.[2] However, as the storyline progressed, viewers and critics warmed to Roy and Hayley's romance.[2] Hayley was finally shown to relay her secret to Roy during a candlelit meal in his cafe. Horrified, Roy rejected her, but after a period of reflection he eventually came around, resolving to remain friends with Hayley until she left the serial for Amsterdam to undergo a sex change.[18] Although the character of Hayley was only meant to be short-term, she and her relationship with Roy were so well received by viewers, that the producers of Coronation Street decided to reintroduce her.[2] On-screen, Roy traced Hayley and they reunited in a special set of episodes, shot on-location in Amsterdam, Holland; Hayley was persuaded to return to Weatherfield with Roy and rebuild their relationship.

Actor David Neilson has complimented the storyline, describing the writing as "absolutely beautiful", and Roy and Hayley are now considered to be one of Coronation Street's "classic" couples.[3]

[edit] Storylines

The character of Roy Cropper was first introduced in 1995 when a new location was brought into the Street. The flats in Crimea Street were purchased by Mike Baldwin and Roy Cropper was a resident at the time of purchase. Originally, Roy lived in the top flat.

Roy appears to have had an unhappy childhood. His father, a French polisher, walked out on his mother when he was ten, and didn’t get in touch for eight years. He had sold the family car, cashed in insurance and started a new life in New Zealand. The young Roy took this very badly, and even though his mother and father have both re-married he still feels deeply about it. Roy hated his stepfather and eventually left home to fend for himself.

Roy was summed up by Mike Baldwin as “A bit of a nutter, but harmless enough.” Indeed, this would be most people's initial summary, as Roy has the look and manner of the archetypal “anorak”, with his beige anorak, scarf, green woollen gloves and omnipresent shopping bag with key attached by tape, but his awkward social manner belies his sensitive and intelligent soul. His keen interest in the well being of his fellow man is easily mistaken for nosiness, and he was almost evicted from the flats for pestering Deirdre Rachid when he was worried about her welfare. He also tried to get her romantic interest on one occasion when he had been drinking.

He has also displayed a caring attitude to both young Jamie Armstrong and Liz McDonald after she was beaten up by Jim. Jamie’s mum, Tricia Armstrong, took advantage of Roy’s helpful nature and persuaded him to buy a television set, even though he didn’t want one, when she was caught without a television licence. Roy also helped Jamie with his maths homework (Roy is a bit of a whiz at maths).

Roy’s flat was a wonder to behold — lots of beige and browns and dimly lit, with a book on the Titanic with a hundredweight of post-it notes attached, and a fully assembled and painted Airfix Saturn V rocket. Roy has a keen interest in the paranormal and volunteered his services when the Rovers Return Inn was supposedly being ‘haunted’ by the ghost of Ivy Brennan.

Although Roy could be perceived as simple by some people, he is nobody’s fool. He got the better of a minicab driver who tried to rip him off, and has an excellent recipe for fried bread. He was, in fact, in charge of fried bread at the Imperial Hotel (paint fat on the bread with a paintbrush and then do it under the grill) and also helped out at Jim’s Café in Rosamund Street.

In summer 1997, Mike Baldwin needed capital to continue with his factory, and so his wife, Alma, offered to sell her share in the café. The simultaneous sale of Crimea Flats and Jim’s Café by the businesslike Baldwins almost left Roy homeless and jobless. Although he had never given the impression of being a man of the world, he had a hidden fortune in the building society. Alma was set to sell to pizza chain Pizza Heaven, and dismissed an offer from Roy, believing him mentally incompetent. But when Gail Platt pleaded with her she relented and Roy bought her share for £35,000. After Gail left the business, the cafe was renamed “Roy’s Rolls” and Roy moved into the upstairs flat. The next seven months saw Roy’s full-time involvement as cafe owner and a major role in the “Red Rec” environmental protest with Spider Nugent, and a higher profile in the Street.

[edit] Relationship with Hayley Patterson

A major chapter opened in Roy’s life when, in February 1998, he was introduced by Alma to Hayley Patterson, her co-worker at Firman’s Freezers, with whom he instantly found a rapport. Like himself, she was rather shy and naive, and they found they had a lot in common. After a few hesitant dates, it was clear they were made for each other and Roy made his first tentative attempts at telling her how he felt. He could not have been less prepared when, at an intimate dinner at the cafe one night, Hayley revealed that she was a transsexual; born a boy, and still to have final surgery to make her into a proper female.

Roy reacted badly initially, by rejecting Hayley and going into a depression. Alma, who had also been let into Hayley’s secret, intervened and Roy, by now missing his companion, decided he was hasty and made up with her, albeit on a “friends-only basis”. Their relationship continued, and grew warmer again, until Hayley came into an inheritance and left to have her operation. Roy, unable to articulate how he really felt about her, bought her goodbye present; a book about “Automotive Engines” (one of their mutual interests). But inside was a beautiful silver locket; a token of his true feelings. Hayley was speechless with emotion and said a tearful farewell. After she left, Roy was a little depressed, and was clearly missing her badly.

At the end of June, he unexpectedly received a letter from Hayley, who was living in Amsterdam following her surgery. After some encouragement from Alma and Gail, he decided to visit her, and possibly ask her to come back to Weatherfield. Flying abroad for the first time in his life, he found her living on a houseboat in Amsterdam, looking full of life and with his locket always around her neck. He spent some time with her, and tried to pluck up the courage to ask her to return with him, but ultimately failed. Unable to express his feelings, he left her a present of a watch, which gave Hayley the sign she needed to make the decision to accompany him back to Weatherfield.

When Hayley was looking for a new house, Gail Platt dropped some big hints to Roy that what she really wanted was to move in with him, and so, taking a chance, he asked her to live with him and was pleased when she gladly accepted. Gone were the Humbrol paints and the usual debris of a bachelor pad as Roy made his little flat a home sweet home for two. (The Saturn V rocket found a new home on his bedside cabinet.)

Nervous of a physical relationship that might ensue from such a liaison, he slept the first night on a camp bed. On the spur of the moment he proposed to Hayley, who had to tearfully decline, due to the legal situation surrounding transsexuals. Undeterred, he pressed on and, after both of them admitted they were “pure as the driven snow”, they finally sealed their relationship.

Sickened by Mike Baldwin’s continued goading of the woman he loved, Roy soaked Mike with beer in the Rovers, but this only exacerbated the situation. Mike continually threatened to tell the factory girls about Hayley’s past. Roy was terrified what people would think about it all and begged Hayley to leave, but she seemed determined to tell all and be damned.

Roy discovered that Hayley had done so when Martin Platt asked Roy straight out in the cafe whether it was true that Hayley was a transsexual. Roy admitted that it was, and although the Platts were very supportive, he was humiliated, angry and hurt that Hayley seemed not have thought of his feelings on the matter, and told her so when she returned home that day. To his embarrassment, Roy found that he, too, was subject to the Street gossip. After some arguments, Hayley threatened to leave Weatherfield, and Roy realized that he couldn’t bear to part over the issue, so he pledged to stand by her.

In November 1998, Roy and Hayley tried some different hobbies, and tried Spanish, Life Art (with Nick Tilsley as a model) and amateur dramatics. Roy found to his dismay that, unlike Hayley, he had no talent for any of these pursuits.

[edit] Roy's Rolls

He also received an offer from the bike shop next door to the cafe for the lease. Gail was unwilling to support such a change but, needing the money after a crisis with Martin’s job, sold her share in the cafe to Hayley, leaving the way clear for Roy to find new premises for the cafe. He spent the next few months planning the move and engaged Steve McDonald to carry out the refurbishment work on the Victoria Street shop.

As their first Christmas together approached, Hayley told a disappointed Roy that she had to spend Christmas Day with her lonely Aunty Monica, so they had their Christmas dinner five days early and toasted to their future happiness.

When Hayley was put in charge of the Underworld Valentine’s Day Disco, Roy was scared to go because he couldn’t dance, so he took some dancing lessons in the evenings, but was horrified to find that Hayley had discovered his subterfuge. He was deeply upset when Hayley turned up at the instructor’s house, looking through the window. She had not believed him, and Roy was hurt. A coldness grew between them.

After a talking-to by Alma, Roy realized how much she did care, and so did go to the disco, dressed as John Travolta. He used his lessons to great effect, sweeping Hayley off her feet and closed the evening by proposing to her with his grandmother’s engagement ring. She happily accepted. The news was received by the Street residents with mixed emotions, and when they went to see a vicar, he refused to marry them, quoting the Bible. Hayley was bitter, and Roy was disappointed but he was still determined to find a way.

The new cafe was almost ready, and Roy’s Rolls (previously 'Dawson’s' and 'Jim’s Cafe'), was formally closed by Gail, Audrey, Alma, Roy and Hayley on the 19 February 1999.

The new cafe on Victoria Street was ready to open, but when he came down from the flat, he found the cafe flooded by a burst pipe. Roy was furious and distraught and blamed Steve McDonald for the mess. After some temporary arrangements involving a hot dog machine, the new Roy’s Rolls opened for business on the 26 February and was a roaring success.

[edit] Roy and Hayley's wedding

The couple’s wedding plans took a step forward when they met Jessica Lundy, the temporary lady curate for St Paul’s, and after some deliberation, she agreed to marry them. Roy and Hayley made their plans, with only three weeks in hand. Spider and Curly got Roy very drunk on his stag night.

They made it to the church on 21 April 1999, only to be foiled by Les Battersby, who had tipped off the press and was keen to see the wedding plastered over the papers. A devastated Roy and Hayley returned to the cafe, thinking the ceremony a washout, but, after a moment of inspiration from Roy, they were married in the cafe, with all their friends and family beside them. During the reception, Hayley revealed to Roy she had changed her name by deed poll and was now Hayley Cropper.

Mr and Mrs Cropper left for their honeymoon in York (home of the railway museums), amidst much jubilation and happiness.

[edit] Party on the Street

After a quiet summer, the Croppers joined the Weatherfield First Aiders and allowed them to use the Cafe as their meeting place for a few weeks. Their new training came into action at the Freshco-sponsored Bonfire Night on the Red Rec, when the main Freshco rocket landed on the roof of the First-Aid tent. Roy and Hayley managed to pull Lester, the first-aid trainer and Audrey Roberts to safety when the tent caught fire.

On seeing the council’s inadequate provision for Millennium celebrations, Roy decided to try and encourage the locals to mount their own street party, and was reluctantly voted chairman of the organising committee. After the usual last-minute panics and typical exasperation, everything came together beautifully and he became the hero of the day for organising a superb Millennium party. He came to the fancy dress party dressed as Edmund Arkwright, who apparently “invented the bevelled flange which revolutionised the northern cotton milling industry.”

[edit] Tracy Barlow and Patience Cropper

Poor Roy and Hayley would fall victim to the evil Weatherfield super-bitch, Tracy Barlow, whose lies pushed their relationship to the edge. For a bet, Tracy bedded Roy by spiking his drink and then announced that she was pregnant with his child. Hayley was devastated by his 'betrayal', but they agreed when Tracy offered to sell the baby to him. In order to secure his relationship with the unborn child, he decided that the only way to do so was by marrying Tracy. Of course, Roy and Hayley's union was never made official due to her being a transsexual, so Roy was able to wed Tracy in a marriage of convenience.

Tracy gave birth to a little girl, and handed her over to the Croppers, who named her Patience. However, Tracy eventually revealed that she hadn't even had sex with Roy and that the real father was Steve McDonald. They reluctantly returned the child to Tracy who was renamed Amy Barlow. Roy and Tracy's marriage was subsequently annulled.

[edit] Vince

In 2005, Roy was bullied by builder Vince. Vince's arrival brought up many unpleasant memories for Roy, as he recounted to Hayley the physical and psychological torture he suffered at the hands of evil Vince.

The situation was soon exacerbated and half of Weatherfield ended up laughing at Roy. When he was in the cafe by himself on one occasion, Vince came in and demanded a free meal. When Roy refused Vince smashed Roy's face into the scalding hot fry-up and then chiselled his teeth in with a spatula. But his boss Charlie Stubbs arrived, attacked Vince and warned Vince not to return to the street.

[edit] Business crisis

When Roy and Hayley left Weatherfield briefly, standards at their cafe deteriorated. People no longer visited Roy's Rolls as both hygiene and health and safety went to pot. The cafe was briefly closed down but upon Roy and Hayley's return, order was (eventually) restored and they continue to run Roy's Rolls very successfully.

[edit] Introduction of Becky Granger

When Roy and Hayley employed ex-convict Becky Granger many Weatherfield residents warned them not to, especially after she framed Kelly Crabtree for crimes which she hadn't committed. Becky stole money from the Croppers and even broke into their car.

When Roy's Rolls caught fire, Roy and Hayley were convinced that Becky was behind it. However, when it was revealed that Becky wasn't responsible, Hayley called a truce with Becky, who is once again working for the Croppers.

[edit] Departure

Roy left to visit Hayley in Africa in February 2008. He returned in March and Hayley is due back in the summer.

[edit] Attack

After a robbery in the Kabin, Roy was attacked by a gang terrorising the street. However, the three members of the gang managed to get away with nothing as Roy somehow managed to outsmart them. He drove them outside where they started to run, with Daryl and Jerry Morton giving chase.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Hayley's bombshell", Daily Mirror, 20 August 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Coronation Street: The Advisor's Tale", Press For Change. Retrieved on 2008-11-01. 
  3. ^ a b c d "Roy is really a rover", Manchester Evening News, 23 June 2005. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  4. ^ "David Neilson Interview", Corrie.net, 1996. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  5. ^ "I THINK I'M MAD TO QUIT CORRIE", Daily Record, 3 April 1998. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  6. ^ "Shedloads of money", The Guardian, 3 April 1998. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  7. ^ "You're killing a great British TV institution, Hilda tells Street", Sunday Mirror, 3 April 1998. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  8. ^ "Street' is left deserted as soap exodus continues", The Independent, 24 May 1997. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  9. ^ a b "Roy Cropper", ITV, 21 August 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  10. ^ "Character Study: Roy Cropper", .corrieblog.tv. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  11. ^ "THE ASPERGER SYNDROME NEWS REVIEW 2005", angelfire.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  12. ^ a b "Why we love Corrie's Roy Cropper", Orange.co.uk, 24 May 1997. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  13. ^ a b c "Roy's sad tale is out of the bag", Sunday Mirror, 8 July 2001. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  14. ^ "My week: PAUL BAILEY", The Independent, 10 August 2003. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  15. ^ "Corrie goes shopping for train-mad Roy", The Independent, 26 March 2004. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  16. ^ "Why I Love...Roy Cropper", The Guardian, 1 December 2003. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  17. ^ "Hayley and Roy? We're a match made in heaven", This is Lancashire, 7 March 1998. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  18. ^ "Street life for Roy and Hayley", Hartlepoolmail, 19 September 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 

[edit] External links

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Coronation Street
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Ken Barlow | Emily Bishop | Rita Sullivan | Betty Williams | Deirdre Barlow | Blanche Hunt | Gail Platt | Audrey Roberts | Jack Duckworth | Kevin Webster | Bill Webster | Sally Webster | Liz McDonald | Steve McDonald | Rosie Webster | David Platt | Norris Cole | Sophie Webster | Roy Cropper | Ashley Peacock | Janice Battersby | Leanne Battersby | Tyrone Dobbs | Dev Alahan | Eileen Grimshaw | Maria Connor | Kirk Sutherland | Jason Grimshaw | Fiz Brown | Claire Peacock | Sean Tully | Chesney Battersby-Brown | Amy Barlow | Kelly Crabtree | Lloyd Mullaney | Molly Compton | Vernon Tomlin | Becky Granger | Michelle Connor | Ryan Connor | Liam Connor | Carla Connor | Jerry Morton | Darryl Morton | Marcus Dent | Tony Gordon | Harry Mason | Dan Mason | Tina McIntyre |


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