Roy Cropper will meet his long-lost brother in an upcoming storyline, set to play out over the coming months in Coronation Street.
And it has now been revealed the actor joining the cast is none other than former Hollyoaks actor Paul Bown, 61.
Read more: Coronation Street confirms return of DS Mackinnon
This week, ED! reported that fan favourite Roy will hear some devastating news in the coming months.
The ITV soap is said to have lined up a tragic plot for the cafe owner, in which he discovers an explosive secret from his past.
Roy is set to find something very alarming while going through the things of his late mother Sylvia.
Read more: Coronation Street’s Rob Mallard feels ‘devastated’ to be losing Katie McGlynn
The sly old fox, who died of a heart attack in January, had an affair and gave birth to a secret son who she was forced to give away.
A man on a mission to uncover the secret past of his mother, Roy begins to investigate what happened to the baby – and eventually finds him.
However, Roy isn’t set for a happy reunion with his new-found half-brother.
Instead, Roy is dealt a brutal blow – his long-lost sibling is terminally ill.
A source told The Sun: “It’s a cruel twist for the much-loved character, as he was so thrilled to discover he has more family after losing his mother.
“It’s particularly hard for him to deal with as he’s already had to cope with his wife, Hayley, enduring a terminal illness.”
Jobbing actor Paul, who will be joining the cast as Roy’s brother according to The Mirror, has starred in dozens of popular TV shows, including ITV crime drama A Confession opposite Martin Freeman, Hollyoaks as Judge Francis Hume, and Casualty, as well as numerous parts in Doctors.
Viewers know that Roy has already seen one of his loved ones die at the hands of terminal illness.
His wife Hayley was diagnosed with cancer and chose to end her own life before the pain became too much to bear.
The impending death of another family member is bound to bring back horrendous memories for Roy, especially so soon after the tragic death of Street resident Sinead Tinker.
Can poor Roy have a happy ending for once?
ED! has contacted Coronation Street for comment.
Do you want Roy to have a happy ending? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!