Roy Cropper on popularity, fostering and Graeme

I caught up with Coronation Street's David Neilson again to chat about Roy Cropper's involvement in Tony Gordon's (Gray O'Brien) demise. Click here to read what he had to say in the main part of the interview.

But why is Roy so popular with viewers? Will Roy and Hayley ever foster again? And will the pair ever take Graeme (Craig Gazey) under their wing? Read on for more...

Why do you think the public have taken Roy to their hearts?
"I think it's because he's like a lot of people - that doubt and that trying to battle through life. He's honest, he does his best, and he's got a nice relationship with Hayley. I think also they're funny. It helps that there's humour in their lives but there's also a very serious side. I always think there's this little dark cloud that follows Roy around. If it was raining in one spot it would be over him. He's like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh - something dreadful is going to happen to him.

"He doesn't have any humour himself but he's got particular obscure interests but he cares about the right things. He's rigorous in the way he deals with life and if something doesn't satisfy him, he won't be fobbed off with an excuse and accept it. He has to worry it out and he will get himself into a lot of trouble when it would have been much easier to lie or forget it."

Are there any plans for Roy and Hayley to adopt/foster again?
"Well they've got Becky in a way. They're probably getting a bit old for it, but any waif and stray that comes through Weatherfield ends up with Roy and Hayley. They seem to have this adopted daughter in Becky, though. She always ends up back with them and that relationship came from Hayley going off to Africa. Roy's relationship with Becky is great - they're two oddballs. She's very streetwise and Roy isn't but she's very naïve in lots of other ways where Roy is wise and has a lot of knowledge and integrity. He's not going to exploit her and he's not at all predatory. It is a father-daughter thing."

You you like to see Roy and Hayley take Graeme under their wing?
"I don't think Graeme needs taking under a wing - he's more likely to take them under his wing! We enjoy working together. I enjoy him coming in because I think Roy finds him a bit odd and that's very funny."

Let me know your view on the Tony/Roy storyline using the usual form below!