For decades, Coronation Street’s Roy Cropper has quietly and compassionately played the role of a father figure to many of Weatherfield’s most vulnerable residents. Despite never having biological children of his own, Roy has become a surrogate dad to a long list of troubled youths—offering them not just shelter and security, but also patience, guidance, and unconditional support. And now, he finds himself stepping into that role once again, as Lauren refers to him as her “dad” following a traumatic revelation from her real father, Reece Bolton.

Roy’s history of caring for displaced and damaged youth has earned him a beloved place in viewers’ hearts. His journey as a surrogate father began earnestly back in 2001 with Wayne Hayes. Roy and his wife Hayley discovered that Wayne was being abused by his mother’s partner, Alex, and the couple made the drastic decision to flee Weatherfield with him in a desperate attempt to protect him. Their moral compass ultimately led them to turn themselves in to the police, and although they were devastated when Wayne was returned home, their actions highlighted Roy’s unwavering sense of justice and compassion. When Wayne returned to the Street in 2019 to investigate the Underworld factory roof collapse, it was a bittersweet reunion, especially with Hayley having passed away in 2014. Despite the years, their bond remained.

Next came Fiz Brown, who was placed into Roy and Hayley’s care after being neglected by her self-absorbed mother, Cilla. Though their fostering experience with Fiz was rocky—compounded by her false accusation that Roy had acted inappropriately—she would eventually return to Weatherfield, apologize, and settle into life on the Street. Roy never held a grudge, proving once again his incredible capacity for forgiveness and understanding.

Fiz’s younger brother, Chesney, was another troubled child Roy and Hayley tried to help. After it became clear that Cilla had abandoned Chesney to chase a new life in Las Vegas, Roy and Hayley stepped in as surrogate caregivers. Though Chesney also had his share of instability and emotional scars, their involvement provided a brief sense of stability during his formative years.

One of Roy’s most challenging “children” was Becky Grainger. She had endured years of abuse at the hands of her stepfather and found herself living on the streets and committing petty crimes to survive. After meeting Hayley in prison, Becky slowly began to rebuild her life. Roy and Hayley took her in, offered her a second chance, and gave her a job at Roy’s Rolls. With their support, Becky went from being a troubled outsider to a fan-favorite with a complex, redemptive arc.

And now, the cycle repeats with Lauren. A product of a broken upbringing and previously involved with far-right extremist circles through her father Reece, Lauren has been on the verge of collapse since her reintroduction to the Street. When Roy offered her a place to stay and a job at his café, it was a gesture of goodwill—a second chance, much like he had given so many before her. But that kindness came at a cost. When Lauren went missing, Roy became the prime suspect in a presumed murder investigation. The whole ordeal shook his world and tested his unshakeable belief in the goodness of people.

Eventually, Lauren returned alive and remorseful. Despite the emotional and legal trauma Roy endured because of her disappearance, he accepted her apology with quiet grace. Their relationship seems to be deepening again, especially after her latest bombshell. In a recent episode, Lauren visited her biological father, Reece, in prison, where he cruelly told her that he might not even be her real dad. The emotional blow was significant, but Lauren handled it with a stoicism that surprised even herself. Later, during a heartfelt chat with Roy, she told him, “I think I’ll just pretend that you’re my dad if that’s okay with you.”

For Roy, those words must have echoed in the chambers of his soul. Time and again, he’s opened his heart and home to young people who needed someone—anyone—to believe in them. Lauren’s declaration may have been spontaneous, even borne of trauma, but it spoke volumes about the role Roy has come to play in her life.

But the question lingers: can Roy trust Lauren this time?

Her pattern of running from problems, and the turmoil she drags in her wake, have already once led Roy to a police cell. And as her current storyline heats up—with her involvement in the stolen van crash and the mysterious threatening texts she’s now receiving—it’s clear that more danger lies ahead. Will Roy end up getting hurt again by standing by her? Or can Lauren finally break the cycle and rise above her past?

One thing is certain: Roy Cropper is once again proving that fatherhood isn’t defined by blood, but by love, resilience, and the willingness to see the good in someone when the rest of the world has given up on them.

In Coronation Street, where betrayals and secrets often steal the spotlight, Roy’s quiet heroism stands out. Whether Lauren deserves it or not, Roy is there—just as he’s always been—for every lost soul who’s walked through the doors of Roy’s Rolls.