Once upon a time on Coronation Street, Weatherfield, there was a forty-something man, shy, a bit odd, trotting around the cobbles of Coronation Street with his trusty shopping bag, a classic stereotype of a "trainspotter". Into the picture came a thirty-something woman, also shy and awkward, who has poor fashion sense but a cheerful disposition. Roy Cropper and Hayley Patterson were introduced by Alma Sedgewick, one of Hayley's coworkers at Freshco's. Alma had intended that Hayley and Curly Watts might hit it off but Roy and Hayley made an instant connection and became star crossed lovers.
Both loved busses and trains and had all the schedules memorized. Both were lacking in social skills but were very genuine people at heart. A friendship blossomed. Neither expected to find a kindred spirit, not Roy at his approaching middle age, nor Hayley, a young woman with a secret.
Hayley's secret was that she was a pre-operative transsexual, a woman that was born in a man's physical body. She had been living as a woman for some time and was about to have the final gender reassignment surgery in Amsterdam. Roy was initially horrified that he was falling for someone that many felt was a "freak". There was also an element of embarassment. Roy knew he was regarded by most of the Street neighbours and customers at his cafe as "strange" and "weird" and having an affair with a "bloke in a dress" would only make things worse. Hayley understood and, heartbroken, left for Amsterdam. Good friend, Alma, made Roy realize that the important thing was the person Hayley was - honest, loyal, kind, and loving. She encouraged Roy to follow Hayley to Amsterdam and work things out. He did and they shyly toured around the city but Hayley wasn't sure if they had a future. At the last minute, Hayley followed her heart and followed Roy to the airport, scrawling "I'm coming with you" on the glass between them with her lipstick. Roy's smile nearly split his face in two and the joy between them was palpable!
They moved in together, and faced the jeers and ignorance of some people with quiet dignity. Many of their friends were supportive as well and helped them find a vicar and church where they could have a committment ceremony. Hayley was still legally considered male and same sex couples were not allowed to be married back in 1999. Les Battersby tipped off the press and the church ceremony had to be abandoned but Roy and Hayley were still able to pledge their love for one another in the cafe, surrounded by loving friends. They honeymooned in the lovely old city of York.
Over the years, Roy and Hayley have proven to have the strongest and most supportive relationship on Coronation Street. They annoy each other, they stand by each other, they have always been open and honest and loving with each other. They have had their ups and downs but continue to be devoted to each other in spite of some very trying times, the worst of which was when everyone thought Roy had sex with Tracy Barlow and got her pregnant, which turned out to be untrue of course! They certainly are one of my favourite couples.
The law has now changed and Hayley would be able to change her legal sex and thus marry Roy for real! I hope we do see them get married someday!
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An absolutely lovely story! And somehow, with the sensitive acting of the two, what could have been a sensational story turned into a solid and warm relationship. Roy started out as a pretty creepy character, seeming to spy on Deirdre when she was living in a flat, but has evolved into maybe the most decent man on the street.
David Neilson is a wonderfully nuanced actor - my favourite scene in the whole Roy/Tracey thing was when she was giving birth, and screamed at him to stay away from the nether end. The midwife, believing him to be her husband, gently told him that wives sometimes feel they won't be desirable to their husbands if they see what is going on, and told him to tell Tracy he loved her. He paused for a moment, and then told her she was doing fine. It was the most he could manage.
I think the Croppers have the most solid marriage on the Street, ever.
Roy and Hayley are genuinely nice and kind people;
I hope they stay in Corrie for ages
Love them and Roy is hysterical! They are wonderful caring and loving do gooders who don't come across as interferring but as genuine people who want to help. They hate any upset of any sort.
They may appear to be a couple of pushovers but as we have seen both will stand their ground and say their piece when the need arises, which, more often than not, leaves people speechless andlooking on in amazement as it is not what they expect.