An Ode to Roy's love life at 40
Lover of Aston Villa boxer shorts, cricket, the hospitality industry and Lexi Viktorova; Roy Tucker turns 40 today.
Born to and Betty Tucker on 2 February 1978, Roy has to thank for his safe delivery into the world. When Betty’s contractions started and Mike, having just sold his car, had no means of getting her to hospital it was very fortunate that Brian happened to call in at Willow farm. He took them to hospital in his car where Betty gave birth to Roy - the name was Mike’s choice.
Perhaps it was this premature contact with Brian which paved the way for what can only be described as a mystifying volume of love interests. From to to to via the multiple online dates and finally , Roy’s certainly made the most of his years.
Roy and Kate
When they first got together, and Roy were not a natural fit. At the time, Roy was mixing with extreme right-wingers and Kate was a dope-smoking middle class hippie. The fact that Roy was ‘the milkman’s son’ (to use her father Brian’s phrase) was probably part of the attraction for rebellious Kate.
In March 1995, Kate returned home after spending months on the road and although scornful of her cannabis smoking, Roy asked her out and they started dating.
Kate was not happy about the racist company Roy was keeping. But he eventually came to his senses, and took a severe beating after informing on his erstwhile mates. Kate was very sympathetic.
That summer, they travelled the country attending festivals and selling wholefoods from a van under the name Pulsations. When the van gave up, they returned to Ambridge. They were together on and off until 3 November 1997, when they split up. But a few weeks later, Kate confessed that she was pregnant, although insisting she wasn’t sure who the father was.
On 28 June 1998, was born in a tepee at Glastonbury Festival. Roy was miffed to find out through village gossip. A few weeks later, Roy discovered that Kate was planning to take Phoebe to France. He quickly obtained a ‘Prohibited Steps Order’ to keep Kate in the UK until the paternity hearing. Kate lost the hearing and later the blood test proved Roy to be Phoebe’s father.
Eventually, Kate allowed Roy to see more of their daughter, finding him a useful babysitter on occasion, until Kate left in 1999 and Roy was left a full-time university student and Phoebe’s full-time dad.
Roy and Hayley
Years later Roy and began their relationship and were married on 7 May 2001 at St. Stephen's church in Ambridge by Janet Fisher (Ambridge's first female vicar). It was a bank holiday and the sun shone. was Roy's best man and , , Becky and were bridesmaids. Hayely's and Roy's parents had decorated the Village Hall and lent them his Bentley. Their Honeymoon was a surprise for Hayley: they had a few days in a hotel in Camden.
was born on 3 July 2008, making a dramatic entry into the world some ten weeks early.
Roy and Elizabeth
Roy’s affair with brought his marriage to Hayley tumbling down when at Greenbury Fields Festival, gathering research for Elizabeth’s own Loxfest festival, Roy and Elizabeth got together.
At the time, he was her employee and he was married. Fair to say it wasn’t going to last! And once caught the two of them hugging, Elizabeth decided – for the sake of her children – that she had to call it off. But what had happened couldn’t be undone nor kept under wraps and as a result Roy lost his job and his family. His ex-wife Hayley and their daughter Abbie now live in Birmingham.
Roy and Tracy
With the fateful words "Come here, big boy," kissed Roy, bringing in 2017 with a bang. Tracey‘s feelings for Roy came on strong, perhaps too strong for a positively intimidated Roy. At a 90s night in Felpersham, Roy was followed around all evening by Tracy Horrobin - who eyed him up over her prosecco glass. When Tom suggested they join on the dance floor Roy, reluctant at first, changed his mind sharpish when he spotted Tracy making her way towards him.
Roy and Lexi
Lexi began life in Ambridge as a fruit picker at Home Farm in June 2017. It was through unpleasant circumstances though that the two first met when racist graffiti was painted across the pickers' caravans. Roy thought Lexi should report it to the police, but when she refused to, he reported it anyway. They fell out, Lexi telling him to "leave her alone".
It wasn't long before the two reconciled and began to spend more time together. Roy had reservations at first, convinced that she liked Constantin (another picker) with whom he'd never be able to compete - he's like a "Greek god" he told Kirsty. Eventually, after encouragement from Kirsty Roy asked Lexi out.
By New Year’s Eve they're together and Roy gave Lexi a necklace (silver with a white gold pendant) that he bought in Birmingham's jewelry quarter, so that however far apart they are when Lexi returns to Bulgaria, she’ll always have something to remember him by.
