Willy Roper

Willy Roper is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Michael Tudor-Barnes from 1 June 1995 to 20 June 1996.

Villainous Willy was dubbed "Wicked Willy" by the British press after he framed Arthur Fowler (Bill Treacher) for embezzlement, leading to his wrongful imprisonment. The truth was eventually uncovered by Arthur's wife Pauline (Wendy Richard), though it was too late for Arthur — he died shortly after his release due to a head injury he sustained in a prison riot.

Storylines

Willy was first seen in June 1995 at the funeral of Tom Palmer, who had an allotment near to Arthur Fowler's in Walford. Willy was also an allotment owner, and he was instrumental in getting Arthur elected as the secretary of the allotment committee. Arthur began raising money to create a new eco-friendly, urban garden, which was named the Flowering Wilderness Fund. Willy took a keen interest in all of his financial dealings. By the end of the year Arthur had managed to raise £20,000 for the garden, and this was enough to tempt Willy to crime.