David Neilson

David Neilson (born 13 March 1949)[1] is an English actor. He is best known for his role as cafe owner Roy Cropper in the long running ITV soap opera Coronation Street, which he has played since 1995.[2][3]

David Neilson
Neilson in 2016
Born (1949-03-13) 13 March 1949 (age 75)
OccupationActor
Years active1975–present
Known forRole of Roy Cropper in Coronation Street (1995–present)
SpouseJane Neilson
Children1

Early life

Neilson was born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, and enrolled at the Central School of Speech and Drama at the age of 20. He worked in various jobs at the same time, including as a gas fitter, ice cream salesman and a barman.

Career

His television roles include Z-Cars, Young at Heart, Mike in a single episode of Survivors (BBC), Edgar in DH Lawrence's Sons and Lovers adapted by Trevor Griffiths (BBC), Blue Heaven by Frank Skinner, as Millington in the TV movies of the Charlie Resnick novels, Bergerac, Casualty, Boys from the Blackstuff, Secret Army and Heartbeat. He appeared briefly in EastEnders in the early 1990s, and in a celebrity edition of Stars in Their Eyes as Roy Orbison. He also starred in the British drama Chimera.

In addition he has appeared in two Mike Leigh films: Life Is Sweet and Secrets & Lies.On radio in 2009, Neilson appeared in God Bless Our Love, an uplifting, romantic comedy about a priest and a nun who fall in love and leave their orders to marry and begin a new life together.[4]

Personal life

Neilson is a lifelong Leicester City supporter, regularly running Alan Birchenall's charity race around the King Power Stadium to raise money for awareness for prostate cancer, in memory of former Leicester City player Keith Weller. He is also a Labour Party supporter, supporting the party at the 2011 Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election.[5]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryResultRef.
2004The British Soap AwardsBest ActorNominated[6]
2004The British Soap AwardsBest Dramatic PerformanceNominated[6]
2004The British Soap AwardsBest On-Screen Partnership (shared with Julie Hesmondhalgh)Won[7]
2008The British Soap AwardsBest On-Screen Partnership (shared with Katherine Kelly)Nominated[8]
2011Inside Soap AwardsBest Wedding (shared with Hesmondhalgh)Shortlisted[9]
2013Inside Soap AwardsBest ActorWon[10]
2013Digital Spy Reader AwardsBest Soap ActorWon[11]
201419th National Television AwardsSerial Drama PerformanceShortlisted[12]
2014The British Soap AwardsBest ActorWon[13]
2014The British Soap AwardsBest Dramatic PerformanceWon[13]
2014The British Soap AwardsBest On-Screen Partnership (shared with Hesmondhalgh)Won[13]
2014TV Choice AwardsBest Soap ActorShortlisted[14]
2014Inside Soap AwardsBest ActorShortlisted[15]
2014Digital Spy Reader AwardsBest Male Soap ActorSecond[16]
2015The British Soap AwardsBest ActorShortlisted[17]
2015Inside Soap AwardsBest ActorNominated[18]
201621st National Television AwardsSerial Drama PerformanceNominated[19]
2016Inside Soap AwardsBest ActorNominated[20]
2016Inside Soap AwardsBest Partnership (shared with Melanie Hill)Nominated[20]
202126th National Television AwardsSerial Drama PerformanceNominated[21]
2021TV Choice AwardsBest Soap ActorWon[22]
2021Inside Soap AwardsBest ActorWon[23]
2021Inside Soap AwardsBest Partnership (shared with Mollie Gallagher)Won[23]
2021Digital Spy Reader AwardsBest Actor (Male)Won[24]
2022The British Soap AwardsBest On-Screen Partnership (shared with Gallagher)Nominated[25]
2022Inside Soap AwardsBest ActorNominated[26]
2022Inside Soap AwardsBest Double Act (shared with Mollie Gallagher)Nominated[26]
2023The British Soap AwardsBest On-Screen Partnership (shared with Maureen Lipman)Nominated[27]

References