Fans know Roy Cropper as Coronation Street’s reserved and deeply moral café owner, but behind the scenes, actor David Neilson couldn’t be more different. In a recent appearance on the Off Script podcast, Sam Aston (Chesney Brown) opened up about the real David Neilson—and the revelation might just surprise you. Far from Roy’s serious and shy demeanor, Neilson is known for his sharp, dry sense of humor and playful antics on set. According to Aston, it’s sometimes a challenge to keep a straight face during scenes because Neilson will deliberately pull a silly stunt just off-camera to try and crack him up.

Their on-screen bond also runs deep. Viewers will remember how Roy and his late wife Hayley stepped into parental roles for a young Chesney and his sister Fiz during some of the most troubled periods of their lives. Aston reminisced about those moments warmly, recalling how Roy even took Chesney to karate classes and created a safe space for the young boy.

Meanwhile, back on the cobbles, drama looms large. Chesney’s home life is under threat as new neighbor Mick Michaelis turns sinister, making terrifying threats toward Chesney’s wife, Gemma. Over at the café, Roy’s world is equally intense: recently cleared of the murder accusation in Lauren Bolton’s case, Roy now finds himself acting as a guiding figure for a troubled teen. In a world full of secrets and danger, the real friendships off-screen provide a touching contrast to the constant storms brewing in Weatherfield.