Brian Capron

Brian Capron (born 11 February 1947) is an English actor who trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He first came to public attention through his role of the teacher Mr Stuart "Hoppy" Hopwood in Grange Hill He had previously appeared in the series as the social worker Donald Worthington in 1981–1982, and 1986. He reprised the role of Richard briefly in 2024 for the exit of Gail Platt (Helen Worth).

Career

Capron first came to public attention through his role of the teacher Mr Stuart "Hoppy" Hopwood in Grange Hill from 1980 to 1983.

In 1984, he appeared as Fred, one of a pair of confidence tricksters in the Minder episode Around the Corner. Also that year, he appeared in The Gentle Touch episode "Do It Yourself" as lead character Maggie Forbes' gay hairdresser Toby.

He also acted in BBC soap opera EastEnders, playing Jerry McKenzie from 1993 to 1994. He played the guest role of Andrew Donelson in Taggart in the episode "A Fistful of Chips", in 1999.

He was cast as George Godley in Jack the Ripper (1988), with Barry Foster as Inspector Frederick Abberline, and the two started filming in October 1987. It was later decided to recast with Michael Caine as Abberline and Lewis Collins as Godley in order to attract larger audiences in the United States.

He is best known for his role as serial killer Richard Hillman in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 2001 to 2003. who was Series 4 champion with cricketer Mark Ramprakash. After finishing in last place on the first show, he found himself in the dance-off along with Kenny Logan, but the judges voted in favour of saving Logan and Capron was eliminated from the show.