CORONATION Street’s Roy Cropper left fans cheering tonight as he quit his bat-watching group because they tormented his niece Nina.
The cobbles legend made an impassioned speech in favour of the youngster, who the cruel oldies branded “the bride of Chucky” and a “Victorian throwback”.
Teenage goth Nina had forged a bond with her uncle over his love of bat-watching, but found herself shunned by the group, who demanded she “clean that muck off” her face.
And tonight, Roy made an impassioned speech in the middle of the cafe where he referenced his wife Hayley – who was soap’s first transgender character.
He told them: “I find you loitering in my cafe criticising my niece. Nina has exemplary today. She has contributed excellent ideas and her bat boxes were outstanding.
“All my life I’ve been judged. Outsider. Oddball. Weirdo. Anyone who’s different is forced to pay the price of isolation.
“People look at me and make assumptions and they did exactly the same with my late wife Hayley and yet she was the most caring, decent human being that I have ever met.
“I cannot, I will not, stand by and listen to that same prejudice directed at my niece Nina. I hereby withdraw from the group.”
Brian Packham was the only one of the four to leap to his defence, crying: “If Roy’s out, I’m out. Solidarity, brother.
“If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine. Che Guevara. And Brian Packham.”
Meanwhile, the other members of the group – Herman, Dave and Farooq – were left sitting around the table looking rightfully ashamed.
Viewers joined Brian in saluting Roy’s principled stand – tweeting about their respect for him on Twitter.
One wrote: “Blimey, Roy’s at it tonight as well You tell em!!!! I happen to love Nina .”
Another agreed: “Love Roy for standing up for Nina!”
