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Coronation Street favourite Roy Cropper has become an unlikely pin-up thanks to a new range of Christmas gifts.
The popular soap character, played by David Nielson, 72, features in a new calendar. The front cover jokily dubs him “Roy Cropper – The Panty Dropper”.
Featuring a dozen shots of his most memorable moments, it is already on course to be a big seller.
A spokesman at retailer Calendar King said: “Our Roy Cropper calendar is certainly popular with fans.
“They are being snapped up. People just can’t seem to get enough of Roy.”
Other merchandise featuring Roy includes phone cases, bags, T-shirts and Christmas cards.
The shy cafe owner has been a firm favourite with Coronation Street fans since he arrived in Weatherfield in 1995.
Over the years he has been at the centre of some of the show’s biggest storylines including an assisted dying plot that saw him help his wife Hayley – played by Julie Hesmondhalgh – to die.
After the character fled Weatherfield last month, there were fears he may never return, but insiders have promised he will be back over Christmas.
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Until then, star David Neilson had appeared to confirm that Roy won’t be returning.
Roy made the decision to leave the cobbles after lying to the police in order to protect Abi Webster after the tragic death of her son, Seb.
Roy couldn’t cope with the guilt, so sold his car and left Roy’s Rolls to Nina before accepting a chef’s job in South Africa – departing in a taxi in the way that is typical for Corrie exits.
And now, chatting to Inside Soap, it appears Roy seemed to say he had departed for good.
He told the publication: "I'm 72, obviously. When Corrie aired Norris' funeral, we had a scene with the hearse pulling up – and because of Malcolm Hebden, I thought: 'I'm really sorry that I won't get to work with him again.’
"But 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 a big part of that popular culture. He will be remembered for a long while."
- Coronation Street
- Christmas
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