Coronation Street fans break down in tears as Roy Cropper leaves the cobbles for good

CORONATION Street fans are in tears after Roy Cropper left the cobbles for good.

The cafe owner – who is played by actor David Neilson in the ITV soap – decided he has to leave because he can’t face looking at Sam Blakeman each day knowing he is partially responsible for his mum Natasha’s murder.

Roy knew about the gun that killed Natasha but didn’t report it, and has since lied to the police to protect Abi Franklin.

After signing over his entire business and flat to niece Nina, Roy decided to travel to South America to work as a chef for the needy.

But his family and friends were devastated at his plans to leave and came together to stop him.

Nothing worked and so in a last ditch effort, Nina locked the cafe door and tried to stop Roy that way.

But when the taxi driver beeped his horn, Roy told her it was time for him to go.

“One day I hope you’ll find it in you heart to forgive me,” he said. 

“This is my only hope of peace. I must go away and atone for what I’ve done.

“As you know I have gifted you my estate so you will always have a roof over your head and money coming in and a place to call your own in this kind and caring community. Now please…”

She unlocked the door but wasn’t done yet.

“You know when I was beaten up it was you that brought me back,” she told him.

“It was your voice I could hear as I drifted in and out of consciousness. My dad left me because he had no choice.

“Please don’t do this to me Roy. You’re the one person in the whole world that I trust and I love you.”

Sobbing she told him: “You promised me you’d always look after me. Roy.”

But he said simply “sorry” before walking out and getting into the cab and leaving Weatherfield for a new life in South America.

Viewers were in tears at his silent goodbye.

One wrote: “The cobbles without #Roy? Unthinkable!”

A second said: “Everyone loves you Roy.”

Another added: “The Roy cropper scene and them telling him how much they love him for his weirdness and how life would be crap without him has given me a lump in my throat!”