David Neilson aka Ray Cropper showed off a different side at a football match (Image: No credit)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeCoronation Street’s David Neilson, who plays the beloved character Roy Cropper, had fans buzzing as he took a day off from filming to enjoy a football match. The 75 year old soap legend was spotted in the crowd at a Leicester versus Southampton game, showing his support for his favourite Premier League team. Born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, David made no secret of his allegiance while sitting amongst the away fans at St Mary’s Stadium. Eagle-eyed supporters noticed David cheering on The Foxes and even caught him on camera joining in with a rather colourful chant. The game saw Leicester make a comeback from two goals down to clinch a 2-3 victory, prompting the chant as Southampton’s Ryan Fraser was sent off, allowing the visitors to regain control.
Fans loved how carried away David got as he sang along with the sweary football chat
(Image: No credit)
David’s character Roy has been a hit with viewers since he first set foot on the famous cobbles nearly three decades ago. Despite being involved in some major storylines over the years, it seems David’s off-screen life is just as exciting. He landed his big break on Corrie at the age of 46, having portrayed Roy since 1995, reports the Mirror. Away from the cameras, David enjoys a happy family life. He has been married to his wife Jane for over half a century. The couple have a son named Daniel and are proud grandparents to two little girls. David Neilson has opened up about how his wife Jane’s experience as a Special Education Needs and Disability teacher influenced the development of his character, Roy, on the beloved soap. Speaking to The Mirror in 2009, David shared insights into his character’s evolution: “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.” The actor also revealed that splitting their time between Spain and England since 2002 has allowed him and Jane to enjoy a more ordinary life away from the spotlight.
David was spotted enjoying the football on a day off
(Image: No credit)
David explained to The Mirror the benefits of their bi-continental lifestyle: “I need to get away from Roy and be myself and they don’t know Roy in Barcelona. If I’m in Spain for a few days I forget what I do for a living, which is the important thing. It means when I come back and someone shouts ‘Roy’, for a moment I forget they’re actually talking to me. And it’s only a couple of hours on the plane so I can commute to Manchester easily enough.” He also touched on the reasons behind their move: “Another reason we moved was for excitement. I like to do different things and it’s been good to learn a language and get into a different culture. Our son Daniel had left for university and we were in Bristol in a big house and we thought, ‘What shall we do? ‘”.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterMore OnCoronation Street
