Corries Richard Hillman actor attacked with umbrella by disgruntled soap fan

Brian Capron, who played the notorious serial killer Richard Hillman in the long-running ITV soap Coronation Street, has revealed how he was treated by fans who recognised him in public, with some perhaps taking the the role a little too serious.

From being called a murderer by a passer-by, to being attacked with an umbrella by a disgruntled soap fan, Brian did not face the warmest reception by fans during his stint on the soap in the early 2000s.

Speaking to The Guardian, Brian said: "Viewers loved to hate [Richard] and I had some ridiculous encounters. The odd person attacked me.

"One guy shouted out 'Hillman!' and threw a brick at my car that hit the roof.

"A woman bashed me with her umbrella and told me I was a horrible person. Even last year, I was in Mallorca when a bloke walked past and muttered: 'Murderer.'"

It wasn't all bad though, with Brian joking that he knew he had made it when his character had not one, but two nicknames in the press; 'Tricky Dicky' and 'Richard Killman'.

He also won five British Soap Awards in one night, joking that he ran out of things to say in the multiple acceptance speeches.

Brian left the soap in 2003 after his character was killed off after driving his wife Gail Platt and her children into a canal. While his would-be victims survived after being saved by Martin Platt and Tommy Harris, Richard ultimately drowned with his body being discovered at a later date.

Richard's murderous presence has continued to be felt over the soap in the years since his death, and in 2018 Gail found herself the victim of a con-artist who posed as a medium and told her Richard had cursed her from beyond the grave.

The storyline culminated in the discovery that con-artist Rosemary was working alongside Lewis Archer, who wanted to seek revenge on Gail after she drove a wedge between him and Audrey Roberts a few years before.

Since departing the soap in 2003, Brian has continued his acting career, with appearances in Midsomer Murders, Doctors, and New Tricks.

He also appeared as Dickie the Boatman in the straight to video/DVD Corrie spin-off Coronation Street: A Knight's Tale.

Brian competed in the fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing, where he was partnered with dancing pro Karen Hardy.

Finishing in the bottom two of the first show, Brian faced off against Kenny Logan in the dance-off, with judges ultimately choosing to save Kevin.

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