Neilson credits wife for Corrie success

David Neilson has claimed that he has his wife to thank for his long stint on Coronation Street.

The actor was originally contracted to play Roy Cropper for just six episodes following his introduction in 1995. In his early scenes, Roy was depicted as a sinister loner who pestered Weatherfield favourite Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride).

Neilson has now revealed that he was able to give the character more depth following discussions with his wife Jane. His efforts paid off as Roy became a more prominent fixture in the years that followed.

He told The Mirror: "Roy was a psychopath. He was stalking Deirdre and was a bit scary. It's nice to play psychos, but they don't stay around too long.

"My wife is a special needs teacher and she worked with people with autism. She said Roy could have Asperger's syndrome, making him socially inept, rather than menacing. 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. But I think he's got it. It gives him reasons for his behaviour and gives me something to play. I enjoy idiosyncrasies in people and Roy is full of them."

Neilson's character has more interesting times ahead as he becomes embroiled in the soap's ongoing Tony Gordon (Gray O'Brien) saga after witnessing the businessman suffering a heart attack this week.

> Click here to read our recent interview with David Neilson