The actor avoids engaging with people online because he does not want abuse or negative comments relating to his former portrayal of a killer, despite him appearing on the soap years ago
FORMER Coronation Street star Brian Capron avoids unveiling himself publicly online as he’s fearful people will abuse him for his portrayal of soap killer Richard Hillman.
The actor, 71, was previously named one of television’s top fictional villains ever for his part as Weatherfield’s psycho murderer.
And he’s convinced he will still suffer harsh taunts at the hands of Corrie viewers who remember his character’s cruel ways.
Brian told the “With social media, everyone’s in the spotlight. You have to worry about how you appear all the time and everybody’s criticising you. I find it very difficult, the social media thing.
“I don’t do anything. I don’t do Twitter and I don’t do Facebook. This started after I did a certain psychopathic character in a certain soap. You get a lot of abuse.
“So I thought, ‘I’m not even going to go there – I don’t want to see any trolls.’ I didn’t want to see anybody saying how awful I was. So I stayed off it altogether.”
Brian believes he is fortunate to be of an older generation of television celebrity who does not have to rely on an online fanbase so much.
He says he is able to get work without having to upkeep a digital presence and therefore does not have to respond to negative comments or feedback online.
Brian’s storyline as Richard gripped ITV viewers after he first appeared on Coronation Street in June 2001 following the death of Richard’s cousin Alma Baldwin, formerly played by actress Amanda Barrie.
He went on to develop a love interest with Alma’s friend Gail Platt (Helen Worth) before marrying her and then went on a killing spree, leaving his colleague Duggie Ferguson (John Bowe) to die before murdering his ex-wife Patricia (Annabelle Apsion).
Richard also set his mother-in-law Audrey Roberts’ (Sue Nicholls) house on fire before convincing her she had Alzheimer’s Disease and attempting to kill Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) for cash, but actually ended up killing Maxine Peacock (Tracy Shaw).
His dramatic exit, which saw him drive his car into a canal, was watched by almost 20million viewers.
But, while Brian was given awards for his performance, he insists fame hasn’t always brought benefits.
He said: “It’s a double-edged sword. Actors dream of being recognised everywhere, but of course, as soon as it happens, then it becomes a little bit of a problem.
“But I don’t ever complain about it because I feel so lucky to have got a bit of profile. You need that profile and it’s just part of the job.”
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