Coronation Street’s infamous serial killer has revealed how heckles and murderer cries still ring out when he walks the streets of Manchester.
Actor Brian Capron, who played Corrie killer Richard Hillman, was back on the cobbles yesterday for the guided tour Coronation Street: The Tour, due to launch to the public on April 5.
More than 15million viewers tuned in to see Corrie serial killer Richard Hillman murder his third victim, hairdresser Maxine Peacock, in 2003.
Despite the killer, played by actor Brian Capron, having left the show more than 11 years ago the Southern actor revealed to MM how he still has members of the public cowering away from him – particularly when he visits Manchester.
“I am still associated with the character of course. I have been here a lot of times over the years and people still cower away and shout murderer on the street,” said the former Grange Hill actor.
BACK IN TOWN: Brian Capron returns to The Rovers as Richard Hillman for tour
“At the peak of the character’s notoriety I was referred to by the media as ‘tricky dicky,’ but it’s funny now because it is a very serious Richard which I suppose fits the role.
“I remember feeling very sorry for anyone called Richard because it must have been a difficult time for them.
“Also financial advisors did not like me very much for a couple of years after I played the role.”
The killer’s most notorious scene was when he bludgeoned Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) and Maxine with a crowbar, although Emily survived the attack.
However the actor, who trained at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, admitted there was a comical moment after the scene had finished.
“I knocked a lot of items off the table in a rage when I was acting out the murder scene with Maxine,” the 67-year-old explained.
“The telephone had gone up in the air and when it landed it had got stuck in the cheeks of Tracey’s (Tracy Shaw) bottom who was acting dead on the floor.
“Everyone was laughing after it and I said ‘hey come on I’ve just done some great acting here’ but it was so funny because it was sticking out and she had stayed like that just so I could see.”
LIKE OLD TIMES: Brian looks more relaxed at the scene of the crime this time round
Capron was present at the press preview on the famous Coronation Street cobbles of Quay Street which will open to the public on April 5 and will be open for just six months.
The studios, where Corrie filmed for the past 53 years, is available to see after the soap moved production out to a new set at MediaCityUK on Trafford Park and the former Where The Heart star believes it will be an asset to the city.
“I think it is so important for people to visit when they come because the old street closed down. It would be great if it could be open for longer,” he said.
“It’s so atmospheric and it’s a wonderful way for people to see the actual sets and artefacts in place – it will be a real eye opener.”
Interior room sets will be on display as part of the behind the scenes tour, giving visitors an opportunity to see where some famous scenes were filmed, revealing insights behind the production.
Tour highlights include exploring the full street set and the chance to take a photo outside the iconic Rovers Return, Roy’s Rolls or the Kabin – and it was filming in the iconic pub which Capron found the most nerve-racking.
“I had been nervous when I first joined the show because I am not a Northerner so I did sort of flatten my vowels out for the Manchester accent,” the Suffolk born actor explained.
“However it was my first scene in the Rovers that was very difficult because it wasn’t closed off like it is now, it is all open.
“I remember my first scene and in my head I was saying ‘I can’t believe this I am in the Rovers, oh my god’ and my heart was racing.”
Tickets are now on sale priced from £15. Check out for MM’s full coverage from the hallowed cobbles of Coronation Street here.
All pictures courtesy of Alice Jowitt, with thanks.
