David Neilson is set to return as Roy Cropper in a dramatic Christmas 'Coronation Street' comeback just weeks after exiting the show.
David Neilson playing Roy Cropper in Coronation Street
The 72-year-old actor left viewers stunned when he departed Weatherfield as café owner Roy in November, after a quarter of a century on the cobbles.
His last scenes on the show saw Roy driving off in a black cab after he decided to start afresh as a chef in South America. But not before he signed over his home and his Roy’s Rolls business to his inconsolable niece Nina Lucas.
But David has been spotted back on set, and he is set for a sensational return.
A TV insider told The Sun newspaper: “Fans were upset when they thought Roy had left but he’s not going anywhere.
“David took a couple of weeks off but will be on screen again in a few weeks. Viewers are going to get quite a shock and he’s set to be part of a dramatic storyline.”
Roy’s decision to leave was due to the crippling guilt he felt over Natasha Blakeman’s death.
The gun that killed Natasha Blakeman (Rachel Leskovac) was the same gun that Abi Franklin (Sally Carman) attempted to shoot Corey Brent (Maximus Evans) with. Roy managed to stop Abi from killing Corey and covered for her.
During his many years on 'Corrie', Roy has been involved in a number of emotional storylines, his most memorable one to date was when his beloved wife Hayley - played by Julie Hesmondhalgh - died from pancreatic cancer in 2014, leaving viewers devastated.
In a previous interview, David admitted that he is aware that Roy's time on the cobbles will have to come to an end sooner rather than later.
Talking to Inside Soap, he said: “There are two exits in this for me: one for the character and one for David. Hopefully, they won’t coincide, maybe they will.
“I know Roy leaving will get a reaction.
"It’s a big part of your life and of that popular culture.
“He will be remembered for a long while.”
Tagged in Coronation Street David Neilson