More bodies are piling up as Stephen continues to spiral (Picture: ITV)
Coronation Street in an extremely unsafe place to live these days, with stalkers, sex offenders, drug dealers and far right groups lurking on every corner.
And amid all of that, local bumbling serial killer Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce) is set to claim yet another murder victim, this time drowning his target in shocking scenes to air this spring.
It was revealed by actor Todd recently that his factory-obsessed alter ego would indeed strike again and very soon.
Metro.co.uk can reveal that we are talking just a matter of weeks before the next character breathes their last, although we are remaining tight-lipped over the identity of the unfortunate soul.
The show has worked on intense scenes to play out the next chapter in the weaving serial killer story, which is having a mixed reaction among viewers.
Stephen has so far already claimed the lives of Jenny’s (Sally Ann Matthews) ex Leo, and his dad Teddy.
But he isn’t going to stop there.
The lacking in morals businessman is currently trying to destroy the mental health and reputation of Underworld queen Carla Connor (Alison King).
Determined to do anything to get his hands on the confusingly profitable business, Stephen has been lacing Carla’s drinks with LSD.
This has led to increasingly erratic behaviour from Carla, making her terrified herself for her mental wellbeing.
It has led to him perched smugly on the boss’ chair, but as he continues to deal with investor Rufus, he isn’t out of the woods yet.
Suspicions are rife as he tries to seem like he is doing everything by the book, but as his true colours start to spill out, it seems he will have to keep killing in order to protect his secrets.
Will he be able to pull the wool over Rufus’ eyes and get what he needs from him?
Stephen is going to extreme lengths for a backstreet factory (Picture: ITV)
There’s also Michael Bailey (Ryan Russell), who has been pretty close to catching Stephen at the scene of almost all of his murders and dastardly dealings.
Viewers have been worried for some time that Michael would get too close to the truth and pay the price; will his luck run out?
There’s also reason to fear for Elaine (Paula Wilcox), who is set on marrying her lukewarm murdering partner.
Stephen is happy to keep her sweet for now, but is she too close – it would just take one slip up for him to fall onto her radar as a wrong ‘un too, particularly as she has experience living with toxic men.
Whatever happens, it seems confirmed that Stephen is going to continue to pick off people for the forseeable.
But for those ripping out their hair in despair, there is the assurance that it will come to an end at some point, with show boss Iain MacLeod promising that Stephen won’t get away with it forever and will pay the price.
‘Bad guys always get their comeuppance in the end, don’t they? So, yes, 100%.’
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However, this may be some way off, as Iain added, ‘there’s a lot of fun to be had between now and then.’
Not so fun for the character about to be dunked.
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Another Weatherfield local picked off.