Neilson: 'Roy is fascinated by Tony'

Coronation Street actor David Neilson has claimed that his alter ego Roy Cropper and Weatherfield villain Tony Gordon share similar traits.

The soap star revealed that fans can expect the likeness between the two characters to create compelling viewing in the run-up to their forthcoming canal showdown.

Later this month, Tony (Gray O'Brien) will be seen pushing Roy into the Weatherfield canal after deciding that the café owner must be silenced for good. Roy has been experiencing inner turmoil since Tony informed him about his involvement in the death of Liam Connor (Rob James-Collier).

In an interview with DS, Neilson explained: "As an actor or someone who's interested in stories, I just knew it was a great story because there are so many bits to it. Roy cannot lie - he's got a real problem - he just can't cope with anything that's not black and white, that's not nailed down and it bothers him. He can't push it to one side so it will bother him and haunt him.

"Funnily enough, Tony Gordon has the same traits but in a much more psychopathic, single-minded way. Roy starts to get inside his head and become Tony's conscience because Tony doesn't have one."

He continued: "Roy becomes fascinated by how this guy's mind works, it's almost an academic thing. When Hayley wants to call the police, Roy doesn't want to because he doesn't want them to ruin his fun! Roy becomes obsessed, until he realises they're threatened."

> Click here to read our full interview with David Neilson