20 years ago to this day David Neilson debuted in the role of Roy Cropper.

Here is his first scene (which was referenced to early this week).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsq9cIE9vjM

Hope we have many more years of Roy.

Wow!

Who are the 10 longest serving cast members.

David Neilson Is SO different from Roy but I suppose after all that time he's become his alter ego.

I'd say

Bill Roache
Eileen Derbyshire
Barbara Knox
Helen Worth
Michael Le Vell
Sally Whittaker
Simon Griegson
Sue Nicholls
David Nielson
Beverley Callard (on and off)

He seems quite creepy there, you could see Deirdre wondering if he was al there

That's exactly how he was intended to be viewed. In fact, the original plan was to have him as a Norman Bates type character, a creepy weirdo with an unhealthy obsession with Deirdre.

It was only after a couple of years that they started to soften his character and make him seem eccentric rather than a weirdo.

He was a real weirdo at the beginning ...completely different character now..

I think Fiz Tyrone and Kirk were there before Roy...but I could be wrong...

I thought Roy and Hayley tried to foster Fiz and that's how she was introduced?

Tyrone joined in 1998, Kirk in 2000 and Fiz in 2001.

You are wrong. Fiz was introduced as Roy and Hayley's foster child. Tyrone and Kirk were also well after Roy

William Roache - 1960 - Present
Eileen Derbyshire - 1961 - Present
Barbara Knox - 1964, 1972 - Present
Helen Worth - 1974 - Present
Sue Nicholls - 1979-82, 1984 - Present
Michael Le Vell - 1983 - Present
Sally Dynevor - 1986 - Present
Beverley Callard - 1989 – 98, 2000 – 01, 2003 – 11, 2013 – Present
Simon Gregson - 1989
Malcolm Hebden - 1994 - 97, 1999 - Present

and at 11

David Neilson - 1995 - Present

Yes you are right....it all just seems ages ago...

Tyrone Joined in 1998

So when did Leanne and the Battersbys come in ??

in 12th place, 1997 – 2000, 2004 – Present

Roy Cropper will be the next Ken Barlow

Does anyone remember Roy (and presumably Hayley) fostering a young lad with ginger hair?

Not much to go on I know!

https://youtu.be/TbFFl2ULldA?t=10m9s Y

Yes he was called Wayne https://youtu.be/TbFFl2ULldA?t=10m9s

Yes, Wayne, and they went on a camping trip or on the run with him somehow (it's a bit hazy now) to save him from his abusive dad (stepdad?) and Hayley ended up in prison.

totally changed his accent as well seemingly compared to what it is now...

Was Deirdre in those flat pre or post Samir? Was def before Jon Lindsay ...

Wayne Hayes.

That was quick, thanks Hank!

Wow, they both look so young. Anne looked lovely in that scene.

I don't think Roy came across as creepy at all tbh, just a bit awkward. I can't remember anything about his entrance or what he was like generally at the time but I didn't get "creepy" off him there.

Bev left, Simon has been there longer.

Not who started first, who has stayed the longest.