Viewers were left “heartbroken” last night after one long-standing Coronation Street character made a dramatic exit.
Roy Cropper has left the cobbles.
The iconic, fan-favourite character – who is played by actor David Neilson – first arrived in the fictional Manchester-based town of Weatherfield all the way back in July 1995, and has been a mainstay on the popular soap for the past 26 years, but during last night’s episode, he decided to up sticks and leave.
Fans of the soap will know that in recent weeks, Roy has been struggling to come to terms with the fact that the gun Abi Franklin obtained to shoot Corey Brent was the same firearm used to kill Natasha Blakeman.
Abi was stopped from shooting Corey on the night of the sinkhole collapse by Roy, who then covered for the grieving mum when questioned by the police about the incident.
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But as viewers know, the gun ended up in the hands of crazed criminal Harvey Gaskell, who was intent on killing Leanne Battersby, but instead shot Natasha in a case of mistaken identity.
When Roy was informed by the police about the connection between the two investigations, he then became been unable to live with the guilt, believing he had a part to play in Natasha’s death, and with all his lies to the law building up, he decided to leave for South America.
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Viewers learned that the Roy’s Rolls cafe owner had found a job serving food to conservation workers.
Roy Cropper has left the Coronation Street cobbles after 26 years / Credit: ITV
Roy then got Adam Barlow to sign over his entire estate to his neice Nina Lucas.
He instructed Abi to sell the Woody, but when Nina – who was afraid that Roy was planning to take his own life – learned that he was preparing to leave and did everything in her power to stop him and convince him to stay.
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She gathered several of his nearest and dearest – including Fiz Stape, Cathy Matthews, and Carla Connor – to share tales of how Roy had helped him over the years.
But it wasn’t enough, as Roy was adamant that he could not stay in Weatherfield.
Nina tearfully tried one final time to stop him, but he said that the fact he’d even lied to Carla over a voicemail Nina left about Roy being in trouble was proof he had to go, and so he got in a taxi and headed off, leaving fans “heartbroken”.
Trailer for Clayface gives closer look at Batman villain in new DC film shot in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
DC have dropped a brand-new trailer for the upcoming Clayface film: a new ‘body horror’ movie by the Hollywood studio and superhero franchise.
Giving the first extended look at the cult favourite Batman villain, it’s set to be one of the darkest and most disturbing big-budget DC projects for some time.
Set to release on 23 October, it drops in just time for ‘spooky season’, and judging by this latest trailer, they’re certainly doubling down on the creepiest sides of the character. If you’re a bit squeamish, we’d say proceed with caution:
It’s certainly a striking reveal and has some of the most mature themes we’ve seen from DC over the years; that’s what you get when you park a supervillain like this.
For anyone who hasn’t come across Clayface before, it is an alias used by multiple individuals in the comics, including Basil Karlo and Preston Payne.
However, this version of the alter ego follows the story of Matt Hagen, a struggling actor who suffers serious disfiguration and experiments with experimental science before embarking on a tale of revenge.
While this differs somewhat from Hagen’s original backstory, without straying into spoiler territory, there’s plenty to be made from the trailer, as you can see.
If you’re wondering what kind of film to expect beyond what you’re now already aware of, it’s worth noting that James Watkins is known for films such as The Woman In Black (2012), Bastille Day (2016), and the heavily nominated James McAvoy-led movie, Speak No Evil (2024).
We were lucky enough to walk past their other major period of filming over in Manchester city centre last September, where the often-used Castlefield doubled as Gotham.
Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? named biggest UK studio album EVER by Official Charts
Danny Jones
You’re damn right: Oasis continue to be MASSIVE as new figures from the Official Charts Company have confirmed that (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? has clocked in as the biggest UK studio album of all time.
The Britpop icons and history go hand in hand.
Yes, according to the latest numbers by our domestic chart-crunchers, only two other albums surpassed Oasis‘ second LP – and they’re both greatest hits collections.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, 22 July, just over a whole year on from those reunion world tour shows at Heaton Park. How fitting.
Starting off by channelling Liam Gallagher energy and quipping that “Oasis vibes are in the area”, they go on to explain the colossal cumulative record.
“Oasis claim one of the biggest honours in British music history, they write, “as (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? is named the UK’s Official biggest studio album of all time, according to new Official Charts Company data.”
Combining UK sales of the record – both physical and digital over the years – along with modern streaming statistics, the sophomore outing from the Britpop giants has amassed approximately 6.2 million UK chart units. Staggering stuff.
Last year’s Live ’25 shows have no doubt helped give an added boost to their metrics, but it’s still gargantuan stuff from the local band.
Yet another incredible stat not just for the Burnage boys but the Manchester music scene as a whole.
2026 looks to be just as big a comeback, by the looks of things.
In case you were wondering who beat them out in the race for the top spot, they were pipped to the post by Queen’s Greatest Hits and the same again from ABBA, two worthy opponents to take third place after.
You can see the rest of the list in full right HERE.
Oh, and Definitely Maybe also made the list, too, coming in at number 39 – making that two in the top 50 even amongst all the compilations.
It feels like last July all over again, doesn’t it? And if now isn’t the perfect time to stick on the title track, we don’t know what is.
Actually, sod it – we’re sticking the full thing on…
Emily Sergeant -
25th November 2021 
