Corrie stars in pier shoot

He may have only been in Blackpool, attempting to scatter the ashes of his beloved wife Hayley, last summer. But Coronation Street’s Roy Cropper has been back in town, wooing his new lady love.

The soap character, played by David Neilson, is starting to get over the death of the love of his life, as Hayley committed suicide early last year in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis.

And he was seen yesterday on a date with new romantic interest Cathy Matthews, played by Melanie Hill, taking in the sights of Blackpool on North Pier, tucking into ice creams, and frolicking on the sands.

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The pair, and crew, were caught on camera by eagle-eyed Gazette reader Malcolm Winder.

Blackpool played a crucial role in Hayley’s death storyline, with the couple visiting the resort to dance at the Tower Ballroom while enjoying the last few months of her life.

Then, in August last year, Roy returned with faithful friends Fiz Brown and Tyrone Dobbs, played by Jennie McAlpine and Alan Halsall, to film on Central Promenade, as they attempted to scatter Hayley’s ashes and say their final goodbyes to the much-loved Hayley, played by Julie Hesmondhalgh. The scenes were broadcast in October.

Now, in much happier times, Roy and Cathy have been spotted walking arm-in-arm, enjoying the sea air.

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Scenes were filmed yesterday, which could have been interesting for continuity purposes as the weather changed from overcast in the morning to glorious sunshine in the afternoon.

But Roy’s new-found happiness seemed to become too much for him, as memories of his late wife came back, prompting him to run away from Cathy.

Melanie joined the Salford-based soap earlier this year, with character Cathy striking up a friendship with Roy over their love of gardening at the allotment.

Their bond strengthened, when it emerged that Cathy too was grieving the loss of her husband, and fans of the show have seen Roy help her try to overcome an obsession with hoarding her belongings.

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