Corrie stars to present awards; STREET'S ROY AND HAYLEY STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT FOR BIG DAY AT STONELEIGH PARK.

Byline: BARBARA GOULDEN

TWO of television's most popular characters, Roy and Hayley Cropper from Coronation Street, have accepted an invitation to present this year's Evening Telegraph Pride of Coventry and Warwickshire Community Awards.

But actors David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh insist they will NOT be the guests of honour at the ceremony due to be held at Stoneleigh Park on May 28.

"The stars will be the 40 local people who are being recognised for making a real difference to community life," says David, who was an actor for 25 years before achieving overnight success when he landed the part of caring cafe owner Roy.

David, who looks younger than his 55 years, says: "Roy may be the street's Mr Anorak with a shopping bag but remember he has also been an eco-warrior and a successful foster parent before running into problems with the authorities."

In real life Julie Hesmondhalgh (pronounced Hes-mond-halsh) is considerably 'hipper' than her on-screen portrayal of Hayley.

She is contracted to reveal little about future Street story lines but does hint that the girls in the factory are in for some "fun and games" with the arrival of a new boss in the form of Mike Baldwin's nephew, who will be played by actor Bradley Walsh.

Julie, 33, grew up in Accrington, and used to perform with the Oswaldtwistle Players.

She says: "I only took an audition for drama school to be with my friends!"

She was spotted by the Corrie casting crew while playing in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing in the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.

As Coronation Street's kindest pair of characters, Evening Telegraph editor Alan Kirby thought they would be the perfect couple to hand over awards to our eight winners later this month.

He said: "Of course, everybody who has been invited to attend the party is already a winner and over the next two weeks we will be printing details of all 40 finalists so that our readers can see exactly why."

This is the third year the awards have been presented to local people who have made or are making a difference in eight different areas of community life.

The categories are: Local, Environment, Caring, Young, Student of the Year, Sports, Public Sector and Brave Heart.

Fan Claire meets her Corrie hero

CHARITY-minded David Neilson, who plays Roy Cropper in Coronation Street, made a Coventry fan's dreams come true when he spent an hour chatting to her at a function in Sheffield.

Claire Simpson, of Yule Road, travelled to the Crystal Peaks shopping centre just to meet him.

Claire, 28, who has cerebral palsy, spent an hour with him, after finding out about his visit on the internet.

She has been a fan of David for more than a year, and has followed the twists and turns of Roy's tumultuous life with avid enthusiasm.

Her mum Mary said: "Claire has always wanted to meet David. This opportunity came up and we decided to go and try to see him.

"There was quite a crowd there. He just walked towards us and Claire spent more than an hour with him.

"He signed her notebook. I think the fact he does a lot for disabled people and supports various charities made her a fan."

CAPTION(S):

CORRIE COUPLE: David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh as Hayley and Roy in Coronation Street; STAR STRUCK: Claire Simpson and her mum Mary chat to Coronation Street actor David Neilson in Sheffield