Coronation Street fans recognise Roy Cropper’s long-lost brother from 80s sitcom

Roy Cropper will finally meet his long-lost brother tonight, in an emotional Coronation Street storyline, which is set to leave the cafe owner shaken to the core.

On Monday (November 11), the fan favourite revealed he had a secret younger half-brother called Richard Lucas, the product of an affair his late mum Sylvia had decades ago.

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He explained how the love child was put up for adoption, so as to ensure the family scandal was swiftly buried.

After some convincing from Carla, Roy agreed to go looking for his estranged sibling and the pair headed towards the address Roy believed was where his relative lived.

However, when they got there, Richard’s daughter Nina fobbed Roy off, denying she knew anyone with that name…

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Fans were shocked, however, as Richard was later seen in the flat.

And some recognised the actor from his previous role in an 80s sitcom.

Watching, he was Malcolm, his real name is Paul Bown.

Writing on Coronation Street ITV Facebook fan page, one wrote: “Apologies if this has already been asked, but could anyone tell me what sitcom Roy’s brother was in?

“I think it was in the 80s or 90s… Thanks in advance.”

Many replied with the information that it was, in fact, Watching – which also starred Liza Tarbuck and Emma Wray.

One confirmed: “Watching, he was Malcolm, his real name is Paul Bown.”

Another added: “He was Mrs Cakeworthy’s husband Colin in Green Green Grass.”

A third typed: “If you watched the recent serial drama A Confession, he had a small part in that. I spent about two hours racking my brain as to what he was in, then remembered he played a birdwatcher in Watching. He looks so different now.”

Jobbing actor Paul, 62, is probably still best known as fresh-faced romantic Malcolm in popular ITV sitcom Watching, which ran from 1987 to 1993.

More recently he appeared in an episode of ITV’s true life drama serial A Confession, playing a former cellmate of serial killer Christopher Halliwell.

Over the years, he’s also starred in Holby City, Doctors, Endeavour, New Tricks, Father Brown, Casualty and The Bill.

On Wednesday (November 13), the brothers are eventually reunited when the cafe owner reveals the full family backstory.

Sadly, it’s tinged with tragedy as Roy discovers Richard is seriously ill with pulmonary fibrosis.

Spoilers suggest that Richard’s goth daughter Nina, played by newcomer Mollie Gallagher, could well be sticking around once her dad dies.

Are you looking forward to watching this storyline play out? Let us know on our Facebook page @EntertaimentDailyFix.