Delving into the Heart of Coronation Street’s Endearing Duo Welcome to a cozy corner of Weatherfield where we unravel the fabric of two beloved characters from Coronation Street. Evelyn Plummer, portrayed by the talented Maureen Lipman, and Roy Cropper, brought to life by David Neilson, have become staples in our evening viewing. Today, I invite you to join me as we explore some trivia about these characters that might just surprise even the most ardent fans. Evelyn Plummers Unexpected Layers When Evelyn Plummer first graced our screens, her sharp tongue was the talk of the cobbles. But as time passed,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Julie Hesmondhalgh has reflected on playing a trans character in Coronation Street.
The actor played Hayley Cropper in the ITV soap from 1998 to 2014, sharing the majority of her scenes with Roy Cropper actor David Neilson.
Hayley was the first permanant transgender character to ever appear in a soap and, for the role, Hesmondhalgh, 52, won several awards.
However, in a new interview, the actor has acknowlegded that she “wouldn’t be able to play” the role now.
In recent years, non-trans actors who have played transgender characters, including The Danish Girl star Eddie Redmayne, have said they regret their casting.
But Hesmondhalgh said that she remains “proud” of her work as “the press were absolutely awful about those issues”, and Hayley’s presence in the soap raised awareness among viewers.
“As a cisgender person, I wouldn’t be able to play that part now so it’s kind of good that I left when I did,...
The actor played Hayley Cropper in the ITV soap from 1998 to 2014, sharing the majority of her scenes with Roy Cropper actor David Neilson.
Hayley was the first permanant transgender character to ever appear in a soap and, for the role, Hesmondhalgh, 52, won several awards.
However, in a new interview, the actor has acknowlegded that she “wouldn’t be able to play” the role now.
In recent years, non-trans actors who have played transgender characters, including The Danish Girl star Eddie Redmayne, have said they regret their casting.
But Hesmondhalgh said that she remains “proud” of her work as “the press were absolutely awful about those issues”, and Hayley’s presence in the soap raised awareness among viewers.
“As a cisgender person, I wouldn’t be able to play that part now so it’s kind of good that I left when I did,...
- 11/17/2022
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
'Coronation Street' actor David Neilson is set to take a break from the soap. David - who has played cafe owner Roy Cropper for 20 years - is reportedly preparing to take three months off in order to ''recharge''. The 66-year-old actor will also be joining the cast of an upcoming stage show during his break, according to The Sun newspaper. And ITV bosses are said to have been more than ''happy to accommodate'' his request for some time off by writing him out of upcoming storylines for the time being. David has been at the centre of a number of emotional plot...
- 11/12/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
'Coronation Street' actor David Neilson is set to take a break from the soap. David - who has played cafe owner Roy Cropper for 20 years - is reportedly preparing to take three months off in order to ''recharge''. The 66-year-old actor will also be joining the cast of an upcoming stage show during his break, according to The Sun newspaper. And ITV bosses are said to have been more than ''happy to accommodate'' his request for some time off by writing him out of upcoming storylines for the time being. David has been at the centre of a number of emotional plot...
- 11/11/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
Julie Hesmondhalgh still gets excited when her former 'Coronation Street' character is mentioned on the show. The 44-year-old actress played transsexual Hayley Cropper on the series for 15 years before she left in 2014. Despite being gone for over a year, Julie still hasn't been able to fully let go of her character and is always thrilled when Hayley's name is uttered by her widower Roy Cropper (David Neilson) or anyone else in Weatherfield. She said: ''The show was such a big part of my life. I don't think I've quite processed my departure. I still watch the soap when I can...
- 1/17/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
Coronation Street's Roy Cropper is to be arrested for assault. The beloved ITV soap character, played by David Neilson, is to snap after weeks of being tormented by a local gang and will lash out at an intruder who breaks into his café, the Daily Star newspaper reports. After hearing someone moving around in Roy's Rolls, he takes a bat downstairs and begins swinging wildly at the burglar, who he is shocked to discover is neighbour Gary Windass (Mikey North). And despite Gary having broken into the café to steal cash from the till to pay for his child's Christmas presents, Roy...
- 11/14/2014
- Virgin Media - TV
Sherlock and Downton Abbey have been nominated for this year's TV Choice Awards.
The shows both made the shortlist for Best Drama Series alongside Call the Midwife and Waterloo Road.
Downton Abbey picked up two acting nods, with Allen Leech nominated for Best Actor and Joanne Froggatt for Best Actress.
Leech will be competing with Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch, as well as David Tennant (The Escape Artist) and Bradley Walsh (Law & Order: UK).
Also up for Best Actress are Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley), Laurie Brett (Waterloo Road) and Judy Parfitt (Call the Midwife).
Happy Valley was recognised in Best New Drama with The Crimson Field, The Musketeers and The Widower.
Game of Thrones and The Big Bang Theory are up for Best International Show, while Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway will battle Celebrity Juice and Gogglebox for Best Entertainment Show.
Best Talent Show is between Britain's Got Talent, The Great British Bake Off,...
The shows both made the shortlist for Best Drama Series alongside Call the Midwife and Waterloo Road.
Downton Abbey picked up two acting nods, with Allen Leech nominated for Best Actor and Joanne Froggatt for Best Actress.
Leech will be competing with Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch, as well as David Tennant (The Escape Artist) and Bradley Walsh (Law & Order: UK).
Also up for Best Actress are Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley), Laurie Brett (Waterloo Road) and Judy Parfitt (Call the Midwife).
Happy Valley was recognised in Best New Drama with The Crimson Field, The Musketeers and The Widower.
Game of Thrones and The Big Bang Theory are up for Best International Show, while Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway will battle Celebrity Juice and Gogglebox for Best Entertainment Show.
Best Talent Show is between Britain's Got Talent, The Great British Bake Off,...
- 7/8/2014
- Digital Spy
Julie Hesmondhalgh says a new love interest for Roy Cropper would ''kill'' her. The 'Coronation Street' legend, whose character Hayley Cropper died in her husband's loving arms in January following a battle with pancreatic cancer, has admitted she would struggle to accept a new woman in Roy's life. She said: ''As Julie, it will kill me. I'll find it very, very difficult, but I think Hayley would give him her blessing. I think she'd want him to live on, as long as it was someone nice.'' Julie also revealed that her former on-screen husband David Neilson has pleaded with the soap's writers to...
- 5/30/2014
- Virgin Media - TV
Julie Hesmondhalgh says a new love interest for Roy Cropper would ''kill'' her. The 'Coronation Street' legend, whose character Hayley Cropper died in her husband's loving arms in January following a battle with pancreatic cancer, has admitted she would struggle to accept a new woman in Roy's life. She said: ''As Julie, it will kill me. I'll find it very, very difficult, but I think Hayley would give him her blessing. I think she'd want him to live on, as long as it was someone nice.'' Julie also revealed that her former on-screen husband David Neilson has pleaded with the soap's writers to...
- 5/29/2014
- Virgin Media - TV
'Coronation Street' swept the board in nine categories at the British Soap Awards last night (24.05.14). The Manchester-based show was helped to victory by David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh, who collected six prizes between them for the moving storyline which saw Hayley Cropper die from pancreatic cancer. They won Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Dramatic Performance (Neilson), Best On-Screen Partnership, Best Storyline for Hayley's cancer and Best Single Episode for Hayley's death, and Julie spoke of their ''once in a lifetime'' professional pairing. She said: ''It's like a marriage. We went out for a pint in Manchester the other week, it was lovely. ''I...
- 5/25/2014
- Virgin Media - TV
'Coronation Street' swept the board in nine categories at the British Soap Awards last night (24.05.14). The Manchester-based show was helped to victory by David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh, who collected six prizes between them for the moving storyline which saw Hayley Cropper die from pancreatic cancer. They won Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Dramatic Performance (Neilson), Best On-Screen Partnership, Best Storyline for Hayley's cancer and Best Single Episode for Hayley's death, and Julie spoke of their ''once in a lifetime'' professional pairing. She said: ''It's like a marriage. We went out for a pint in Manchester the other week, it was lovely. ''I...
- 5/22/2014
- Virgin Media - TV
The National TV Awards were their usual mix of the predictable (Ant and Dec sweeping the board) and unpredictable (Benedict Cumberbatch in swim shorts) last night and consequently the ITV ceremony was the hottest topic on Twitter yesterday evening (January 22).
Digital Spy has rounded up some of the best, funniest and cheekiest Twitter reactions to the show below. Warning: This list does include some worrying nipple action.
National TV Awards: The Winners
1. RIcky Gervais didn't win an Nta, but he did give us this amazing selfie.
Oi! Rickaaay! pic.twitter.com/wcRztUrYC2
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 22, 2014
2. Benedict Cumberbatch accepted his Best TV Detective Award in swim shorts. The Sherlock internet fandom melted.
Benedict Cumberbatch In Those Swimming Trunks, Accepting His Nta. pic.twitter.com/AnyffvY1hw
— #Moriartylives (@PondsAreCool) January 22, 2014
3. Mushy from Educating Yorkshire won our hearts again with his WWE-inspired speech and hilarious photobomb.
In the words of @DanialBryan Yes Yes Yes.
Digital Spy has rounded up some of the best, funniest and cheekiest Twitter reactions to the show below. Warning: This list does include some worrying nipple action.
National TV Awards: The Winners
1. RIcky Gervais didn't win an Nta, but he did give us this amazing selfie.
Oi! Rickaaay! pic.twitter.com/wcRztUrYC2
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 22, 2014
2. Benedict Cumberbatch accepted his Best TV Detective Award in swim shorts. The Sherlock internet fandom melted.
Benedict Cumberbatch In Those Swimming Trunks, Accepting His Nta. pic.twitter.com/AnyffvY1hw
— #Moriartylives (@PondsAreCool) January 22, 2014
3. Mushy from Educating Yorkshire won our hearts again with his WWE-inspired speech and hilarious photobomb.
In the words of @DanialBryan Yes Yes Yes.
- 1/23/2014
- Digital Spy
The 19th National Television Awards took place at London's O2 Arena this evening (January 22).
Hosted by Dermot O'Leary, the ceremony celebrated all that is great and good in UK television.
National Television Awards 2014 - as it happened
The National TV Awards winners in full:
Talent Show
The X Factor
Strictly Come Dancing - Winner
Britain's Got Talent
Dancing on Ice
The Voice UK
Serial Drama
Coronation Street - Winner
EastEnders
Emmerdale
Hollyoaks
Comedy
Derek
Mrs Brown's Boys - Winner
The Big Bang Theory
Miranda
Watch Brendan O'Carroll talk to Digital Spy about the success of Mrs Brown's Boys below:
Drama
Broadchurch
Call The Midwife
Downton Abbey
Doctor Who - Winner
Drama Performance
Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)
Matt Smith (Doctor Who) - Winner
Martin Clunes (Doc Martin)
Miranda Hart (Call The Midwife)
Factual Entertainment
The Great British Bake Off
Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs - Winner
An Idiot Abroad...
Hosted by Dermot O'Leary, the ceremony celebrated all that is great and good in UK television.
National Television Awards 2014 - as it happened
The National TV Awards winners in full:
Talent Show
The X Factor
Strictly Come Dancing - Winner
Britain's Got Talent
Dancing on Ice
The Voice UK
Serial Drama
Coronation Street - Winner
EastEnders
Emmerdale
Hollyoaks
Comedy
Derek
Mrs Brown's Boys - Winner
The Big Bang Theory
Miranda
Watch Brendan O'Carroll talk to Digital Spy about the success of Mrs Brown's Boys below:
Drama
Broadchurch
Call The Midwife
Downton Abbey
Doctor Who - Winner
Drama Performance
Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)
Matt Smith (Doctor Who) - Winner
Martin Clunes (Doc Martin)
Miranda Hart (Call The Midwife)
Factual Entertainment
The Great British Bake Off
Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs - Winner
An Idiot Abroad...
- 1/22/2014
- Digital Spy
The shortlist for the 19th National Television Awards has been announced.
Dermot O'Leary hosts this year's ceremony, which takes places on Wednesday, January 22 at London's 02. Fans can vote at NationalTVAwards.com.
The National TV Awards nominations in full:
Talent Show
The X Factor
Strictly Come Dancing
Britain's Got Talent
Dancing on Ice
The Voice UK
Serial Drama
Coronation Street
EastEnders
Emmerdale
Hollyoaks
Comedy
Derek
Mrs Brown's Boys
The Big Bang Theory
Miranda
Drama
Broadchurch
Call The Midwife
Downton Abbey
Doctor Who
Drama Performance
Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)
Matt Smith (Doctor Who)
Martin Clunes (Doc Martin)
Miranda Hart (Call The Midwife)
Factual Entertainment
The Great British Bake Off
Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs
An Idiot Abroad
Top Gear
Daytime
Pointless
The Chase
This Morning
The Jeremy Kyle Show
Newcomer
Khali Best (EastEnders)
Michelle Hardwick (Emmerdale)
Marc Baylis (Coronation Street)
Anna Passey (Hollyoaks)
Serial Drama Performance
David Neilson (Coronation Street...
Dermot O'Leary hosts this year's ceremony, which takes places on Wednesday, January 22 at London's 02. Fans can vote at NationalTVAwards.com.
The National TV Awards nominations in full:
Talent Show
The X Factor
Strictly Come Dancing
Britain's Got Talent
Dancing on Ice
The Voice UK
Serial Drama
Coronation Street
EastEnders
Emmerdale
Hollyoaks
Comedy
Derek
Mrs Brown's Boys
The Big Bang Theory
Miranda
Drama
Broadchurch
Call The Midwife
Downton Abbey
Doctor Who
Drama Performance
Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)
Matt Smith (Doctor Who)
Martin Clunes (Doc Martin)
Miranda Hart (Call The Midwife)
Factual Entertainment
The Great British Bake Off
Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs
An Idiot Abroad
Top Gear
Daytime
Pointless
The Chase
This Morning
The Jeremy Kyle Show
Newcomer
Khali Best (EastEnders)
Michelle Hardwick (Emmerdale)
Marc Baylis (Coronation Street)
Anna Passey (Hollyoaks)
Serial Drama Performance
David Neilson (Coronation Street...
- 1/7/2014
- Digital Spy
'Coronation Street' star Julie Hesmondhalgh thinks the show's viewers are more sympathetic towards Roy Cropper than his terminally-ill wife Hayley. The 43-year-old actress - who plays the cancer-stricken factory worker - believes the public feel sorry for the hapless cafe owner (David Neilson) because he's struggling to deal with the idea that Hayley wants to end her own life before she is killed off by pancreatic cancer. Julie said: ''I would imagine that a lot of people will have sympathy for Roy because he really doesn't want this to happen and she's very insistent. ''It's very difficult to watch someone like Roy...
- 12/17/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
'Coronation Street' leads the nominations for the Inside Soap Awards 2013. The ITV soap has picked up 15 nods, including two for Best Actor courtesy of David Neilson - who portrays Roy Cropper in the show - and Jack P. Shepherd (David Platt), and they will do battle with EastEnders' Jake Wood (Max Branning) and Emmerdale's Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle). 'Corrie' also has two nominations in the Best Actress category for Julie Hesmondhalgh - who plays cancer-suffered Hayley Cropper - and Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre), who will face competition from EastEnders' Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning) and 'Emmerdale' star Lesley Dunlop...
- 10/15/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Stephanie Cole's 'Coronation Street' exit sparked a ''nightmare'' for the show's writers. The 71-year-old actress' alter ego Sylvia Goodwin was supposed to play a key role in her daughter-in-law Hayley Cropper's tragic cancer storyline, but departed the soap suddenly following the death of her brother, meaning certain key scenes had to be hastily re-written. David Nielson, who plays Sylvia's son and Hayley's husband Roy Cropper said: ''Rewriting results in your character suddenly talking about their childhood with someone you'd never usually confide in. ''They just give the lines to somebody else. For the writers it must be a nightmare. Some scenes you really...
- 10/13/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
'Coronation Street' leads the nominations for the Inside Soap Awards 2013. The ITV soap has picked up 15 nods, including two for Best Actor courtesy of David Neilson - who portrays Roy Cropper in the show - and Jack P. Shepherd (David Platt), and they will do battle with EastEnders' Jake Wood (Max Branning) and Emmerdale's Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle). 'Corrie' also has two nominations in the Best Actress category for Julie Hesmondhalgh - who plays cancer-suffered Hayley Cropper - and Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre), who will face competition from EastEnders' Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning) and 'Emmerdale' star Lesley Dunlop...
- 10/12/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Alison Owen to give festival keynote address, returning initiatives include Pfm, Think-Shoot-Distribute.
This year’s BFI London Film Festival’s ( Oct 9 -20) returns with flagship industry events Cross-Media Forum, run in partnership with Power to the Pixel, the Film London Production Finance Market (Pfm), and project development scheme Think-Shoot-Distribute.
Saving Mr Banks and Jane Eyre producer Alison Owen will give a keynote in which she will explore the extent to which cinema is under threat from games and online.
Industry panels will include ‘The Wide Angle: Launching the BFI’s International Strategy for UK Film’ with the BFI head of international Isabel Davis and ‘Remodelling the Release: Insights from the BFI New Models scheme’, which will explore the results of non-traditional release models including Spirit of ’45, A Late Quartet, A Field in England, What Maisie Knew and A Pervert’s Guide To Ideology.
Panelists on the latter will include Ben Luxford (Curzon Film World), Gabriel Swartland (Picturehouse...
This year’s BFI London Film Festival’s ( Oct 9 -20) returns with flagship industry events Cross-Media Forum, run in partnership with Power to the Pixel, the Film London Production Finance Market (Pfm), and project development scheme Think-Shoot-Distribute.
Saving Mr Banks and Jane Eyre producer Alison Owen will give a keynote in which she will explore the extent to which cinema is under threat from games and online.
Industry panels will include ‘The Wide Angle: Launching the BFI’s International Strategy for UK Film’ with the BFI head of international Isabel Davis and ‘Remodelling the Release: Insights from the BFI New Models scheme’, which will explore the results of non-traditional release models including Spirit of ’45, A Late Quartet, A Field in England, What Maisie Knew and A Pervert’s Guide To Ideology.
Panelists on the latter will include Ben Luxford (Curzon Film World), Gabriel Swartland (Picturehouse...
- 10/4/2013
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Katherine Kelly has revealed that she does not miss playing Coronation Street's Becky McDonald, although she would consider a future return to the ITV soap.
Last month, Kelly ruled out a cameo in the ITV soap when Hayley Cropper bows out later this year.
However, speaking to the Daily Mail, the Mr Selfridge actress has said that she will "never say never" about going back to the show.
Kelly said: "I can't imagine it'd be in the near future. It's not like I could go back while doing Mr Selfridge - what would I do with my hair? It'd take three goes to get it blonde and I'd need to be tanned. Logistically, it wouldn't work."
Kelly, who starred in the soap for six years, added: "I miss everyone on Coronation Street but I don't miss playing Becky.
"The work schedule was gruelling but it's the greatest training ground...
Last month, Kelly ruled out a cameo in the ITV soap when Hayley Cropper bows out later this year.
However, speaking to the Daily Mail, the Mr Selfridge actress has said that she will "never say never" about going back to the show.
Kelly said: "I can't imagine it'd be in the near future. It's not like I could go back while doing Mr Selfridge - what would I do with my hair? It'd take three goes to get it blonde and I'd need to be tanned. Logistically, it wouldn't work."
Kelly, who starred in the soap for six years, added: "I miss everyone on Coronation Street but I don't miss playing Becky.
"The work schedule was gruelling but it's the greatest training ground...
- 9/22/2013
- Digital Spy
The National Television Awards 2014 longlist nominations have been announced and voting is now (September 17) open.
Hosted by Dermot O'Leary, the NTAs celebrate the best and most popular TV and are exclusively voted for by viewers. The 2014 awards take place at London's O2 on January 22.
Full list of 2014 nominations:
Drama
Broadchurch
Call The Midwife
Casualty
Dci Banks
Death In Paradise
Doc Martin
Doctor Who
Downton Abbey
Endeavour
Foyle's War
Holby City
Homeland
Jonathan Creek
Last Tango in Halifax
Law & Order: UK
Lewis
Love and Marriage
Luther
Midsomer Murders
Mr Selfridge
New Tricks
Poirot
Revolution
Ripper Street
Scott & Bailey
Shetland
Silent Witness
The Fall
The Paradise
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher
The Syndicate
The Village
The White Queen
Under The Dome
Vera
What Remains
TV Detective
Olivia Colman - Broadchurch
David Tennant - Broadchurch
Stephen Tompkinson - Dci Banks
Shaun Evans - Endeavour
Michael Kitchen - Foyle's War
Alan Davies - Jonathan Creek...
Hosted by Dermot O'Leary, the NTAs celebrate the best and most popular TV and are exclusively voted for by viewers. The 2014 awards take place at London's O2 on January 22.
Full list of 2014 nominations:
Drama
Broadchurch
Call The Midwife
Casualty
Dci Banks
Death In Paradise
Doc Martin
Doctor Who
Downton Abbey
Endeavour
Foyle's War
Holby City
Homeland
Jonathan Creek
Last Tango in Halifax
Law & Order: UK
Lewis
Love and Marriage
Luther
Midsomer Murders
Mr Selfridge
New Tricks
Poirot
Revolution
Ripper Street
Scott & Bailey
Shetland
Silent Witness
The Fall
The Paradise
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher
The Syndicate
The Village
The White Queen
Under The Dome
Vera
What Remains
TV Detective
Olivia Colman - Broadchurch
David Tennant - Broadchurch
Stephen Tompkinson - Dci Banks
Shaun Evans - Endeavour
Michael Kitchen - Foyle's War
Alan Davies - Jonathan Creek...
- 9/17/2013
- Digital Spy
'Coronation Street's Hayley Cropper may only have six months to live. The factory worker - played by Julie Hesmondhalgh - and her husband Roy Cropper (David Neilson) are given the devastating news this week that Hayley's aggressive form of pancreatic cancer is incurable after an operation on her tumour is unsuccessful. David told Inside Soap magazine: ''It's been at the back of Roy's mind that Hayley will die. That thought is always lurking when people find out that they, or a loved one, has cancer. Roy deals with it in a very raw way - he probably doesn't have the tool kit...
- 8/29/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
'Coronation Street's Hayley Cropper may only have six months to live. The factory worker - played by Julie Hesmondhalgh - and her husband Roy Cropper (David Neilson) are given the devastating news this week that Hayley's aggressive form of pancreatic cancer is incurable after an operation on her tumour is unsuccessful. David told Inside Soap magazine: ''It's been at the back of Roy's mind that Hayley will die. That thought is always lurking when people find out that they, or a loved one, has cancer. Roy deals with it in a very raw way - he probably doesn't have the tool kit...
- 8/27/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Stephanie Cole has quit 'Coronation Street'. The 71-year-old actress - who plays battleaxe Sylvia Goodwin - has departed the cobbles following a bout of ill health, but her decision to leave has forced show bosses to rewrite scripts as her character was due to play a key role in Hayley Cropper's unravelling cancer story. Alison Sinclair, Senior Publicity Manager of the soap, took to Twitter to confirm Stephanie's departure this morning (02.08.13), saying the star has left ''for the time being''. Sylvia - who first graced the screens in 2011 as the busybody mother of Roy Cropper (David Neilson) - will...
- 8/2/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Coronation Street's David Neilson and Chris Gascoyne love rehearsing plays together. The pair - who play Roy Cropper and Peter Barlow - are ''very serious actors'' who enjoy using their downtime between scenes by running through dialogue from Nobel Prize-winning playwright Samuel Beckett and even get their colleagues Stephanie Cole and Malcolm Hebden to join in. A source said: ''You would not necessarily think it from watching them on-screen, but Chris and David are very serious actors. They love running through lines from Samuel Beckett plays and discussing his work. ''They are particularly interested in one of his plays and one day they...
- 4/30/2013
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Coronation Street's David Neilson and Chris Gascoyne love rehearsing plays together. The pair - who play Roy Cropper and Peter Barlow - are ''very serious actors'' who enjoy using their downtime between scenes by running through dialogue from Nobel Prize-winning playwright Samuel Beckett and even get their colleagues Stephanie Cole and Malcolm Hebden to join in. A source said: ''You would not necessarily think it from watching them on-screen, but Chris and David are very serious actors. They love running through lines from Samuel Beckett plays and discussing his work. ''They are particularly interested in one of his plays and one day they...
- 4/30/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Coronation Street's David Neilson and Chris Gascoyne love rehearsing plays together. The pair - who play Roy Cropper and Peter Barlow - are ''very serious actors'' who enjoy using their downtime between scenes by running through dialogue from Nobel Prize-winning playwright Samuel Beckett and even get their colleagues Stephanie Cole and Malcolm Hebden to join in. A source said: ''You would not necessarily think it from watching them on-screen, but Chris and David are very serious actors. They love running through lines from Samuel Beckett plays and discussing his work. ''They are particularly interested in one of his plays and one day they...
- 4/28/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Coronation Street's Mary Taylor isn't best pleased as Hayley Cropper returns home in tonight's (August 6) double bill of the soap. Mary (Patti Clare) feels that she's getting ever closer to Roy (David Neilson) after helping him out at the café. However, she is soon left out in the cold when Hayley bursts through the door. Hayley (Julie Hesmondhalgh) is relieved to be back following her trip away, but does she (more)...
- 8/6/2012
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Paolo Nutini will not perform at any UK music festivals this year, reports suggest. The singer is currently working on his third studio album and despite making good progress with his new material, he has ruled out playing any UK festivals. An insider told the Daily Record: "Paolo has been working with David Neilson and Leo, his producer, on new material and he is looking at summer festivals but not any in Scotland, or indeed, the UK. "He wants to get all his stuff together so that he can come back to a home crowd with a clear idea of what he is doing." Meanwhile, Nutini has also been approached to write the score for a stage musical (more)...
- 3/8/2012
- by By Lewis Corner
- Digital Spy
Coronation Street writer Jonathan Harvey has defended the references to Salford during Friday night's episode. Fans took to Twitter to express their surprise after the area was name-checked twice during yesterday's 8.30pm edition of the long-running ITV soap. Many pointed out that they had always assumed Weatherfield was based on Salford, rather than being an actual part of the real Salford. "Twice in tonight's #Corrie they've called it Salford not Weatherfield. Have they moved the whole street overnight?" asked one user, while another posted: "Why is everyone on Corrie suddenly mentioning that they live in Salford?? I thought Weatherfield was meant to *be* Salford??" During Roy's (David Neilson) argument with Milton (Robert Vaughn) about his business plans, the Street regular said: "This is not Manhattan, (more)...
- 2/11/2012
- by By Christian Tobin
- Digital Spy
Coronation Street airs Hollywood actor Robert Vaughn's first scenes later this month as he makes his debut as wealthy Milton. Roy Cropper's mum Sylvia (Stephanie Cole) has spoken of little else but Milton since meeting the rich American on a cruise last month, but the realities of a long-distance romance begin to hit home in the coming days. Sylvia will soon be left fuming when she discovers that Roy (David Neilson) has put a bar on Milton's number to prevent further huge bills for international calls. The outspoken café worker gets round this obstacle when Sophie Webster teaches her how to use Skype, but she later worries when she doesn't hear from Milton for a few days. Upset over Milton's lack of contact, Sylvia throws all of her efforts into her music contest with Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden) at The Rovers. However, (more)...
- 1/15/2012
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
The residents of 'Coronation Street' will be terrorised by a plague of monster rats. The giant rodents will take up residence in Weatherfield next month and locals will be horrified as the see the dirty creatures in The Rovers Return pub, Roy Cropper's cafe and at the back of Nick Tilsley's bistro. So Roy (David Neilson) and Nick (Ben Price) try to catch them but fail and it is left to busy-body Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden) to sort out the situation. He tells Rita: "They may have beaten amateurs like Roy Cropper and Nick Tilsley but they'll find me quite a different adversary...
- 7/27/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
Coronation Street busybody Norris Cole will do battle with a plague of rats in a forthcoming storyline, a report has claimed. The comic plot begins when a swarm of rodents descends on the cobbles in the coming weeks, causing chaos in the Rovers Return, Nick Tilsley's bistro and Roy Cropper's café, according to the Daily Star. It is thought that Nick (Ben Price) and Roy (David Neilson) fail in their early attempts to get the situation under control, leaving Norris vowing to tackle the problem himself. Chatting to Rita, Norris - played by Malcolm Hebden - is quoted as saying: "They may have beaten amateurs like Roy Cropper and Nick Tilsley but they'll find me quite a different adversary altogether. Let's see them get past the Pied Piper of Weatherfield!" (more)...
- 7/27/2011
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Coronation Street's Sylvia Cropper will reportedly alienate customers when she is left in charge of Roy's Rolls. Stephanie Cole joined the Manchester serial as Roy's outspoken mother earlier this year. The comical scenes will occur when Roy (David Neilson) and Hayley (Julie Hesmondhalgh) go on holiday. The couple could end up regretting their decision when Sylvia threatens to lose them business by implementing extra charges, reports the Daily Star. Among her ideas is to charge customers for salt, ketchup and having milk in their tea and coffee. Meanwhile, as well as cutting (more)...
- 7/6/2011
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Stephanie Cole has promised that there are "moving" scenes in store on Coronation Street as her current storyline continues. The actress was introduced to Weatherfield last month as Roy Cropper's (David Neilson) outspoken mother Sylvia, who has a strained relationship with the café owner. Speaking on This Morning today, Cole confirmed that Roy and Sylvia's history will be further explored on screen in the coming weeks. She explained: "Well, as you can imagine, Roy was a very difficult child and in fact we've just recorded the real background to what went on, which I'm not going to give away because it's quite deep and subtle." Meanwhile, asked whether Sylvia knows about the background of Roy's transsexual wife Hayley (Julie Hesmondhalgh), Cole replied: "Not at the moment, but it does become (more)...
- 5/25/2011
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Coronation Street's Fiz Stape is to give up her baby daughter for adoption. With the terrified factory worker currently behind bars awaiting trial for her involvement in evil husband John Stape's (Graeme Hawley) killing spree, Fiz sees giving the tot to friends Hayley and Roy Cropper - played by Julie Hesmondhalgh and David Neilson - as the only way to guarantee her a good future. Although frantic Fiz (Jennie McAlpine) is allowed to keep baby Hope with her in the prison's mother and baby unit, she is convinced she will be locked up for life and begs Roy to care for her...
- 5/11/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
Coronation Street's Fiz Stape is to give up her baby daughter for adoption. With the terrified factory worker currently behind bars awaiting trial for her involvement in evil husband John Stape's (Graeme Hawley) killing spree, Fiz sees giving the tot to friends Hayley and Roy Cropper - played by Julie Hesmondhalgh and David Neilson - as the only way to guarantee her a good future. Although frantic Fiz (Jennie McAlpine) is allowed to keep baby Hope with her in the prison's mother and baby unit, she is convinced she will be locked up for life and begs Roy to care for her...
- 5/9/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
Glee Tunes Preview! ‘Born This Way’, ‘Ive Gotta Be Me’, ‘As If We Never Said Goodbye’, ‘I Feel Pretty/Unpretty’
Listen to songs from the upcoming "Born This Way" 90-minute episode.
Glee Video Preview: “Somewhere Only We Know”
Check out a preview of Blaine (Darren Criss) singing “Somewhere Only We Know” to Kurt (Chris Colfer) on the steps of McKinley High.
We want drama! ABC soap fans rally to keep Erica Kane and her daytime friends on the air
Novartis Consumer Health, the pharmaceutical company whose products include Excedrin, had this to say about the outcry: "Novartis Consumer Health is aware of consumer feedback regarding advertising support for Excedrin on ABC. We’ve told our fans who've posted their frustration on our Facebook page that we're sorry to hear that the cancellation of two of the longest running shows on ABC Daytime has caused them a headache!"
Eric Marstolf Steps...
Listen to songs from the upcoming "Born This Way" 90-minute episode.
Glee Video Preview: “Somewhere Only We Know”
Check out a preview of Blaine (Darren Criss) singing “Somewhere Only We Know” to Kurt (Chris Colfer) on the steps of McKinley High.
We want drama! ABC soap fans rally to keep Erica Kane and her daytime friends on the air
Novartis Consumer Health, the pharmaceutical company whose products include Excedrin, had this to say about the outcry: "Novartis Consumer Health is aware of consumer feedback regarding advertising support for Excedrin on ABC. We’ve told our fans who've posted their frustration on our Facebook page that we're sorry to hear that the cancellation of two of the longest running shows on ABC Daytime has caused them a headache!"
Eric Marstolf Steps...
- 4/22/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
Coronation Street newcomer Stephanie Cole has confirmed that fans can expect a mix of wit and outspoken behaviour from her character Sylvie Cropper. Sylvie - the estranged mother of established character Roy (David Neilson) - makes her debut on the soap in Monday's double bill as she turns up to visit her son. Over the past few weeks, press reports have tipped the new arrival to cause a stir in Weatherfield with some ill-tempered antics. Julie Hesmondhalgh, who plays Roy's wife Hayley, has also described Sylvie as "quite fierce". Speaking to TV Choice about her character, Cole commented: "She is an extremely proud woman. She's also very acerbic and can be quite breathtakingly rude - but still gloriously witty at the same time." Discussing Sylvie's relationship with her son, she continued: "She hasn't had much (more)...
- 4/8/2011
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
'Coronation Street' newcomer Sylvia Cropper could be set to fill the shoes of bossy Blanche Hunt. Sylvia - played by Stephanie Cole - will descend upon the cobbles next month to pay a surprise visit to son Roy Cropper (David Neilson) and his wife Hayley (Julie Hesmondhalgh). However, since the tragic death of actress Maggie Jones - who portrayed battleaxe Blanche in the ITV1 soap until she passed away in 2009 - producers are said to be missing her "acerbic" sense of humour, and are hoping the introduction of Sylvia will bring some of it back. An insider told The Sun newspaper: "It'll...
- 3/24/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
'Coronation Street' is a ''depressing'' place for its stars to be. David Neilson - who plays Roy Cropper in the ITV1 soap - admitted while losing well-established members of the cast as part of the show's upcoming 50th anniversary tram crash storyline is part and parcel of being an actor, it is still upsetting to lose friends. He told Bang Showbiz: ''We're losing friends we're very close to. It's the nature of acting but it doesn't make it any easier. 'Coronation Street' is actually quite a depressing place to be at the moment.'' However, Kym Marsh - who plays feisty Michelle Connor - ..
- 11/11/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh has revealed that she is glad to have taken a more central role in the soap this year. The actress's character Hayley Cropper was a key part of the show's dramatic siege episodes back in June, while fans also saw the factory worker tie the knot with partner Roy (David Neilson) in the summer. Speaking to the Inside Soap Yearbook 2011, Hesmondhalgh explained: "I'm usually just pootling around in Roy's Rolls making butties, so to be involved in the marriage and the factory fire was really thrilling. "And it all tied in with Roy not wanting to splash out on a big wedding, then after the (more)...
- 11/9/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Coronation Street fans will be introduced to one of Roy Cropper's relatives next year, series producer Phil Collinson has revealed. In an interview, the show's chief confirmed that the new arrival will descend on Weatherfield in early 2011 - and is likely to cause some trouble for Roy and Hayley, played by David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh. Speaking to Inside Soap, Collinson explained: "Early next year we might well bring in a relative of Roy - but I don't want to reveal more than that right now." He added: "It'll be someone who will really put the cat among the pigeons (more)...
- 10/20/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
David Neilson has predicted that his Coronation Street alter ego Roy Cropper will stay permanently with Hayley. Speaking to What's On TV, the 61-year-old actor described the couple, who are marrying soon, as "conservative" and unlikely to have affairs. He said: "They are a conservative couple with a small 'c' and what they really care about is fitting in. Roy is proud of his (more)...
- 8/28/2010
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
Julie Hesmondhalgh and David Neilson ''bicker'' like Hayley and Roy Cropper. The 'Coronation Street' stars - who have portrayed the odd pair in the show for over 10 years - adore working with each other, and admit they are like a ''married couple'' in real life too. Julie told Bang Showbiz: ''Well I love us because we're so unconventional but the most conventional couple on the Street really. We're absolutely loyal and faithful and love each other, and we never get any worse than bickering and that's so unusual in a soap. ''We bicker in real life, we're like a married couple. We absolutely ..
- 7/9/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Corrie's Underworld boss Carla Gordon will reportedly be placed in grave danger when her husband Tony escapes prison and comes after her with a gun intent on revenge. Tony (Gray O'Brien) is behind bars for the murder of his love rival Liam Connor (Rob James-Collier) and for attempting to drown cafe owner Roy Cropper (David Neilson). Robbie Sloan, who is played by Vicar of Dibley star James Fleet, is Tony's cellmate and has been bribed to aid the escape. According to The Sun, Robbie is freed from jail - having been due for release - and meets Carla (Alison King) under (more)...
- 3/27/2010
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Former Vicar of Dibley star James Fleet has joined the ranks of Coronation Street as Tony Gordon's new henchman. The 50-something actor - who played hapless Hugo Horton in the long-running BBC sitcom - will take on the role of Robbie, Tony's (Gray O'Brien) cellmate who is due to be released from prison. Since his incarceration at the end of last year, Tony has been plotting his prison break and a timely revenge on his nearest and dearest. Realising that he needed help, Tony quickly enlisted Robbie and plans to use him as his eyes and ears on the Street. Tony is currently spending time at Her Majesty's pleasure for the killing of Liam Connor and the attempted murder of Roy Cropper (David Neilson) after turning himself in to the police. In real life, O'Brien took a short break from the soap for the panto season, but agreed to return...
- 3/20/2010
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
Roy Cropper is set to legally wed partner Hayley during celebrations of the 50th anniversary of 'Coronation Street'. The cafe owner will finally tie the knot with his sex-change lover, making their partnership official, following their blessing in 1999. Hayley - who was born Harold Patterson - changed her name by deed poll to Hayley Cropper, but they never legally wed as when they first got together, UK law did not allow transsexuals to marry in their new gender. The law changed in 2004 and Roy (David Neilson) and Hayley (Julie Hesmondhalgh) are keen to take advantage of it. However, the impending nuptials cause friction ..
- 3/8/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Coronation Street couple Roy and Hayley Cropper are to tie the knot later this year, it has been revealed. The Weatherfield favourites, played by David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh, will finally make their partnership official in one of the soap's 50th anniversary storylines, according to reports today. Roy and Hayley previously had their relationship blessed in 1999, but were not able to marry officially due to legal restrictions. Hayley was born as a man named Harold and could not wed in her new gender after falling in love with Roy. However, the law was changed in 2004 and the Croppers are now expected (more)...
- 3/8/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Coronation Street has been named as the UK's top soap at the annual Broadcast Awards. The programme's triumph in the 'Best Soap or Continuing Drama' category was announced last night at a gala dinner held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Weatherfield regulars David Neilson (Roy Cropper), Katherine Kelly (Becky McDonald), Shobna Gulati (Sunita Alahan) and Debbie Rush (Anna Windass) were in attendance for the ceremony, which uses a panel of judges to reward excellence in television each year. The accolade comes just over a week after Coronation Street topped a public vote to secure the 'Best Serial Drama' prize at the National Television Awards. A Coronation Street spokesperson this afternoon told Digital Spy: "We're absolutely thrilled with the award, especially (more)...
- 1/28/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.