The relationship between Carla Connor and Roy Cropper has long been one of the most special emotional bonds in Coronation Street.

Carla considers Roy a support, a spiritual father, and now, before her wedding to Lisa Swain, she just wants him to be there to guide her into the wedding hall.

But that emotional moment becomes the heartbreaking knot of the film’s plot.

Carla repeatedly urges Roy to see a doctor because of his persistent back pain.

At first, Roy tries to avoid it, trying to show that he is fine. But a strong woman like Carla cannot hold back her tears: “I need you there, Roy. You are my family.”

That earnestness makes fans explode with emotion. Many admit that they cannot hold back their tears when they see Roy smiling awkwardly, promising to go for a health check. But the slowness in his gait, the tired look in his eyes and the slight shaking of his hands made the audience believe that the situation was not simple.

On the show’s Facebook forum, many theories appeared. Some thought that Roy had cancer, others guessed that it was a sign of a dangerous old-age disease. Regardless, the fan community expressed their fear: What would Coronation Street be like if it lost Roy Cropper – the living symbol of the whole show?