More horror for Corrie killer

He brought terror to the nation’s most famous street and is destined to get double the boos when he appears in the Black Country next week. Women’s editor Maria Cusine caught up with Brian Capron.

There was something quite unnerving about speaking to Richard Hillman - sorry, I mean Brian Capron. After all - he terrorised the country’s most famous street.Hillman - or Tricky Dicky as he was known - was Weatherfield’s psychotic serial killer.

The rotten financial advisor resorted to some dastardly deeds which left the nation gripping the edge of their armchairs.

The crowbar wielding conman bumped off the characters one by one, from his ex-wife to business partner and hairdresser Maxine - not to mention trying to finish off poor old Emily Bishop.

And then we watched as he confessed all to dowdy wife Gail before going on the run. He himself came to a gruesome end in Weatherfield canal after trying to kill Gail and her kids.

Back in the real world of course, the man who played the role most masterfully was Brian Capron.

And thankfully there’s nothing at all sinister about him.

Brian is charming and funny and, unlike Tricky Dicky, genuine.

He is enjoying his villainous character’s afterlife and is all set to take to the stage at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton from Monday.

In a world away from the Weatherfield cobbles, the actor is joining in the fun and frolics of the rock ‘n’ roll musical the Rocky Horror Show.

He plays the guest star narrator in the cult show.

“Originally I didn’t think the Rocky Horror Show was for me. The audience seemed to hi-jack it so much that it turned into a panto over the years.

“But now it’s been re-vamped it’s fabulous. The audience still dress up of course but it really is a classy show,” he said.

Anyone thinking Brian will step out in the show’s dress code of fishnets will be disappointed as they don’t feature in his costume for the role of narrator.

“There’s no suspenders or fishnets for me,” he said.

“Which leaves people wondering if it’s because I’ve actually refused to wear them. I haven’t, it’s just that as narrator I’m not part of the cast so do not wear their typical costume. I was quite disappointed actually,” he laughs.

True to form, the narrator of the show is booed.

“However, when I step on stage I get double the boos - because of Richard Hillman of course,” he laughs.

Richard Hillman. How could we ever forget the Street’s most evil character?

The recent Weatherfield storyline involving a series of cards addressed to his widow Gail, claiming to come from Hillman, led to wild speculation that Tricky Dicky may make a comeback from the dead.

In the end, of course, it was revealed they were the work of Gail’s son David.

“About 7,000 people asked me in the street if I was the one sending the cards - which was obviously a bit of a nightmare.

“It was the show’s publicity machine going into overdrive.”

It seems the residents of Weatherfield can breathe a sigh of relief as the actor has no plans to return.

“I think returning to a soap after you’ve left is a bad thing,” he says. Although he doesn’t miss the soap, he admits he loved playing the role of the villain.

“I had no idea that the Richard Hillman character would be so big. I had a great experience.

“When he first appeared on screens I was concerned that Hillman was rather cheesy so I decided to turn him into someone who really loved Gail and her family.

“It was quite a complex role playing a psycho who loved his family. And when he threatened people I did it in a quiet way - with my eyes. And luckily for me it all paid off.

“I had a wonderful time but I’m glad I moved on. I had only ever planned to stay for two years.”

The Richard Hillman character was a far cry from his previous happier role of Mr Hopwood in Grange Hill.

“Grange Hill really became a cult programme. It was a wonderful show and I had several EastEnders stars in my class.

“My agent was concerned that I would be typecast as a nice person. Well it’s a funny old business seeing that I ended up playing a psycho,” smiles Brian.

But he’s enjoying his villainous character’s afterlife, having swapped the cobbles for the Yorkshire Dales starring in ITV’s Where the Heart Is.

Brian plays factory boss Ozias Harding in the drama - which was recently axed by TV bosses.

Speaking of the show’s demise, he said he was devastated for many of the new stars in the drama.

“I feel lucky because I’ve had three years on it but there’s many who have just joined the cast.

“The show was attracting around six and a half million viewers.”

But he’s still keeping busy with his next venture being a BBC afternoon play Death Becomes Him.

• Capron will be appearing alongside ex-Hear’Say singer Suzanne Shaw in the Rocky Horror Show. It runs at The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton from Monday until Saturday. Tickets priced £7.50 to £29.50 are available from the box office on 01902 429212.