Coronation Street fans have been left feeling emotional after the soap shared a heart-melting throwback featuring one of its most beloved couples of all time, Roy (David Neilson) and Hayley Cropper (Julie Hesmondhalgh).
The official Coronation Street TikTok account posted a clip from 1998 showing Roy and Hayley sharing their very first kiss, and it didn’t take long for viewers to flood the comments with love, ‘Loved Roy and Hayley, they were so cute 🥰’ and ‘oh to have a love like these two’.
For many fans, the moment was an instant reminder of just how special the couple were, and why they’re still considered one of the greatest romances in soap history.
The scene, set by the boating lake at the Red Rec, captured Roy finally opening up to Hayley after weeks of shy glances and gentle conversations. True to Roy fashion, it was awkward, tender and completely heartfelt, a kiss that didn’t rely on drama or passion, but pure emotional connection. It marked the beginning of a love story that would span 16 years and leave a permanent mark on Coronation Street.
Roy and Hayley first met in February 1998 and bonded almost instantly over their shared awkwardness and quiet outlook on life. Their relationship took a groundbreaking turn when Hayley revealed she was a pre-operative transgender woman, a storyline that was truly ahead of its time.
While Roy initially struggled to process the revelation, he soon realised that his love for Hayley mattered far more than anything else. That acceptance became the foundation of their relationship and endeared them to viewers across the country.
The couple went on to share two weddings, each just as meaningful as the other. In 1999, they held a blessing ceremony at Roy’s Rolls, as UK law at the time didn’t allow their marriage to be legally recognised. Hayley later changed her surname to Cropper by deed poll, determined to show the world how committed they were.
More than a decade later, following the introduction of the Gender Recognition Act, Roy and Hayley finally married legally in 2010 in a beautiful ceremony at a stately home, a moment many fans still cite as one of the soap’s happiest days.
Beyond romance, Roy and Hayley became the emotional backbone of the Street. They fostered Fiz Brown, supported Becky Granger through some of her darkest moments, and formed deep, parental bonds with those who needed love and stability. Even when pulled into more dramatic storylines, including Tracy Barlow tricking Roy into believing he was the father of her baby, the couple’s quiet strength never wavered.
Hayley’s death in 2014 remains one of Coronation Street’s most devastating episodes. Diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, Hayley chose to end her life on her own terms, dying peacefully in Roy’s arms. The storyline was handled with sensitivity and sparked national conversations around terminal illness and the right to die.
Fast forward to 2026, and Roy remains a central figure on the cobbles. Earlier this year, he marked the 12th anniversary of Hayley’s death by visiting the boating lake where her ashes were scattered, sharing memories with Lisa Swain and Carla Connor.
The TikTok throwback proved one thing loud and clear: even decades later, Roy and Hayley Cropper’s love story still means everything to Coronation Street fans.
