Coronation Street’s David Neilson and Maureen Lipman return to filming – despite other over 70s being banned

CORONATION Street's Roy Cropper actor David Neilson has returned to filming on the soap.

The ITV soap had taken the decision to suspend filming for all the soap's actors over 70 or those classed as clinically vulnerable as part of its staggered return.

The soap has carried out individual risk assessments for cast and crew and will be phasing those cleared to return back in over the next few months.

David, 71, who has played Roy since 1995, was back on set yesterday while Maureen Lipman, 74, also made her comeback.

Neither David or Maureen's characters were written out of the soap, with them instead just being off-screen or upstairs.

Meanwhile 88-year-old Bill Roache is eagerly awaiting a call to say he can go back to the cobbles.

Ken Barlow star Bill told Andi Peters on ITV's Lorraine: "The over 70s haven't been called yet.

"I've been told I might be called after August. I hope so. We're ready and willing, but no, heard nothing yet."

Bill has starred on Coronation Street as Ken Barlow for 40 years.

He's set his sights on becoming the first 100-year-old still working on a soap.

But for the past five months he's been staying home with his grown up children Will and Verity.

Describing lockdown life, Bill said: "I have been very fortunate. I understand it has been very difficult for many people, but I have my two children who are normally in London.

"We've been living together and getting on very well. We have a cinema in the evening where we'll watch a comedy show like The Vicar of Dibley and then an old feature film. The in the day we'll do our own thing.

"I've been drawing and writing a story which I'm really enjoying."