Roy Cropper relative to join Corrie

[Perdita]

oronation Street fans will be introduced to one of Roy Cropper's relatives next year, series producer Phil Collinson has revealed.

In an interview, the show's chief confirmed that the new arrival will descend on Weatherfield in early 2011 - and is likely to cause some trouble for Roy and Hayley, played by David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Speaking to Inside Soap, Collinson explained: "Early next year we might well bring in a relative of Roy - but I don't want to reveal more than that right now."

He added: "It'll be someone who will really put the cat among the pigeons for him and Hayley, though."

Offering more teasers on what is to come for the Weatherfield soap, Collinson also named builder Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies) as one to watch in the coming months.

"Owen's an alpha male who likes to have his own way, although at the same time, he's struggled a lot and loves his children," he said. "We're still learning about him. He can be dark and dangerous, but he'll fight for his kids. Watch this space for Owen!"

Collinson is currently busy working on the soap's 50th anniversary episodes, which will air in December.

[Perdita]

They are obviously not going to come to any harm in the tram crash

[tammyy2j]

They are obviously not going to come to any harm in the tram crash

I love to see a kid of Roy''s from his past but yes Perdy is right that is Owen, Hayley and Roy ruled out of dying in the tram disaster

[alan45]

We are getting along well with working out who WON'T be bumped off. If I was in Corrie and not being mentioned in post tramcrash spoilers I would be checking my CV. Of course it could all be a bluff by Mr Collinson

[Chloe O'brien]

Don't the writers think the croppers have enough grief going on with Kyle taking a loan of them and looney Mary without adding to the troubles.

[alan45]

Doc Martin star Stephanie Cole is to join the cast of Coronation Street, taking on the role of Roy Cropper's mother Sylvie, it has been announced.

The actress - also known for her parts in Tenko and Waiting for God - will begin filming with the soap in the New Year and make her first appearance on screen in March, when Sylvie turns up in Weatherfield to stay with Roy and Hayley.

According to Corrie's official website, Sylvie has an outspoken attitude and soon makes her mark on the street following her arrival.

Speaking of her casting, Cole commented: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining. In any great drama - be it on television or on the stage - the writing comes first, and Coronation Street is brilliantly written.

"When I worked at Granada Television a lot in the 1980s, I used to play bridge with Doris Speed and I remember thinking, 'Maybe one day they will offer me a role on Coronation Street'. Well that day has finally come and I am thrilled.

"I am a huge Roy and Hayley fan, so to be joining their family on screen is a privilege for me and I can't wait to get started."

Corrie's producer Phil Collinson added: "I am delighted to welcome Stephanie Cole to the cast. I have long been an admirer, from the brilliant dramatic performances she gave in Tenko, to the side-splitting Diana in Waiting for God - she is one of this country's finest actors. Life at Roy's Rolls is never going to be the same again."

News that one of Roy's family members would join Coronation Street first emerged in October, when the new arrival was tipped to "put the cat among the pigeons" for Roy and Hayley.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street's new recruit Stephanie Cole filmed her first scenes for the soap yesterday.

The actress - best known for roles in Doc Martin, Tenko and Waiting for God - has been cast in the part of Roy Cropper's mother Sylvie on the ITV1 soap.

Writing on Twitter yesterday evening, Andrew Lancel - who plays businessman Frank Foster - confirmed that Cole had made her debut in the programme.

He told his online followers: "Long day but with lovely people. The legendary Stephanie Cole started today."

Sylvie has been billed as a woman with an outspoken attitude and she is expected to quickly make her mark on the cobbles following her arrival.

The newcomer's debut scenes are due to air in April.

DS

[alan45]

Coronation Street's Roy and Hayley Cropper managed to tie the knot last year, despite mad Mary's attempts to sabotage the wedding, and since then married life has been going well for the couple.

But that is all about to change, according to Julie Hesmondhalgh who plays Hayley.

She revealed: "There's a cat amongst the pigeon once again - just when you get a bit of peace and quiet and normality back, Roy's mum comes into the equation and she's quite fierce."

The soap star admitted shy, eager-to-please Hayley is no match for her mother-in-law, played by Stephanie Cole.

She laughed: "Oh no! I don't think so. She's trying to build the bridges in her usual well-meaning way, between mother and son and I don't think either of them particularly welcome it.

"I think it's going to be really good fun. We're always at our best when they throw a random third party into our relationship. We've had a few of those and it's always great. It keeps it fresh for us as well."

Julie and David Neilson, who plays Roy, have just started filming the scenes with 69-year-old Waiting For God star Stephanie, and fortunately she is not like her character.

Julie revealed: "She's lovely, she's really nice. She's a legend isn't she - I used to watch her in [TV drama] Tenko when I was a little girl and all sorts and she's absolutely fantastic and just a really warm and lovely person - so that was a relief."

Let's hope Hayley can get her mother-in-law to warm to her...

[Perdita]

Julie Hesmondhalgh has praised the storylines that Coronation Street writers give Roy and Hayley Cropper.

The actress, who has played transsexual Hayley since 1998, told PA that their unusual character quirks drive the scriptwriters to be more inventive with their plots.

She explained: "Because nobody else would have them, the scriptwriters have got to be a bit imaginative with us - they can't just keep splitting us up and sending us off and having affairs and having children and things.

"They've got to be a bit more imaginative, so it's great - it works out good for us."

Hesmondhalgh added: "I really, really, really hope Roy and Hayley stay together.

"I've said this before, but they are, despite how unusual they are as people, they are the most conservative couple on the Street really. And you need that. You need a couple of people who just love each other and stay together through thick and thin."

DS

[layla]

Looking forward to Stephanie Cole joining Corrie.
She is a very good actress.
Loved her years ago in Tenko.
Reckon she will ruffle a few feathers.