Coronation Street
Roy tracks down both his brother and his niece
He’s a far cry from Hercule Poirot – the Belgian detective never had a shopping bag for starters – but Roy Cropper has proved to be quite the sleuth when it comes to solving the mystery of his late mum Sylvia’s ring.
He’s already discovered that the battleaxe had an affair with someone called Raymond, and this week he successfully tracks down the product of that relationship – Richard, his half-brother.
Roy has clearly known about his secret sibling for some time, but only shares his discovery when Carla questions him about his sudden obsession with online Scrabble. He reveals that he has learnt Sylvia had a son who was put up for adoption, and believes the man, Richard, is his online playing partner.
Carla is stunned, and when
Roy adds that he has an address for Richard, she insists that they go and pay him a visit.
Arriving at Richard’s flat, the duo are met by a young woman, Nina – Richard’s daughter – who sends them packing. Not to be deterred, they go back the following day, and are let in by a care worker, who reveals Richard is suffering from pulmonary fibrosis. As Nina reappears, she’s unimpressed to see them, and a nervous Roy simply tells her that he and Richard are Scrabble buddies. But on a further visit, Roy finally comes clean and reveals his true identity.
‘Richard was a successful engineer before he became ill,’ reveals Paul Bown, who plays him. ‘His wife died, and he was left to bring up Nina on his own.
‘He knows nothing about his past, apart from the fact that he was adopted.’
Carla tells Nina, Roy’s niece, she’d be lucky to have Roy in her life, but Nina is unconvinced. Can Roy win her round?