Coronation Street star Luca Toolan has said he 'feels so guilty' as viewers were left distraught over the show's latest heartbreaking scenes. The actor is currently playing Mason Radcliffe on the cobbles and it's fair to say viewers haven't been a fan of the new character since his arrival.
Following his first appearance in the ITV soap last month, we've seen Weatherfield High student Mason leading Dylan Wilson astray and causing trouble for some of Weatherfield's residents, including Liam Connor.
And the trouble only continued during Corrie's latest episode on Wednesday night (November 22). In a previous episode, after Liam was accused of grassing Mason up for stealing Dylan Wilson's trainers, stepfather Gary Windass threatened Mason and believed he had dealt with the problem.
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However, it wasn't enough to stop Mason as he once again turned on Liam over his run-in with Gary. As Liam walked home he was cornered by Mason and his friends, including Dylan, and they soon began an attack on him, throwing items at him and pouring rubbish onto him before Liam was thrown to the ground. Liam was in tears and things only got worse as when he got up, the teenager had a knife pointed at him.
Mason threatened him with the blade before eventually letting him go. Liam later confided in younger step-brother Jake that he'd been attacked and threatened. Unbeknownst to Liam, Jake contacted the police and soon, Mason was stopped in the street by PC Craig Tinker and was searched.
The copper didn't fine the knife and had to let Mason go and later, Liam's bullying ordeal continued. He was seen lying in bed as his phone continuously pinged with messages, one showing a picture of a rat dressed in a school uniform which was said to be Liam after the police incident.
As screengrabs of the emotional scenes were shared on Corrie's social channels, Luca replied with praise for his co-star Charlie Wrenshall, who plays Liam, on Instagram. He said: "@charliewrenshallofficial amazing tonight that last scene was powerfuI felt so guilty even though I know it’s not real."
He also took to his own Instagram page with a number of photos of himself, Charlie and Liam McCheyne, who plays Dylan, showing they get on like a house on fire behind the scenes. "Heavy ep tonight, but an important one - so lucky to have shared it with these lads and PA @karenlouise1306," he said.
And Luca's dad has also spoken out. Hits Radio host Mike reshared the pictures from his son and praised the work he is doing in his debut TV role. He shared on X, formerly known as Twitter: "They’re great friends really! Amazing storyline on @itvcorrie. Powerful & heartbreaking scenes. And an important topic - Bullies never win. If I didn’t know, he was an amazing lad in real life I would box @LucaToolan ears. Great acting all round @LiamMccheyne & Charlie Wrenshall."
Meanwhile, Charlie shared the same pictures as Luva, with one of him sweetley being hugged by Liam, and wrote in the caption: "They ain’t actually horrible," alongside a red love heart. Liam also said alongside his own post: "I promise we're mates, really! An important story being told. There are a few BTS pictures from tonight's episode. But a huge thank you and well done to everyone involved who made these scenes what they were."
