EXCLUSIVE: ITV Coronation Street Mason star slams fan backlash as character makes surprise return
Coronation Street star Luca Toolan has slammed the fan backlash against his character Mason Radcliffe.
Luca plays bully Mason on the ITV soap. He’s just been released after serving his sentence for carrying a knife – but his return has, of course, left both Dylan and Liam – and their parents – concerned. Now Luca has opened up about playing a baddie on the soap – and admitted he has got some backlash for his character. Speaking about the backlash, he exclusively told The Mirror: “I’ve not had anything bad yet – but everyone’s nice in real life. Online you get a bit of jip but in person, everyone’s lovely. I feel quite lucky.”
Luca also spoke about how special it is to work on the show, admitting he “pinches himself” when he steps on the Cobbles. “I watched Corrie as a kid, it’s part of the fabric of Manchester. So just to be a small slice of that is an honour really. Even now, a year later, sometimes I pinch myself when I’m walking down the street. What the hell is going on!” he said.
Mason has started to interact with others on the Cobbles now – but does that mean he might stay for good?
Mason has made his return to Weatherfield
He told us: “Mason was previously quite cornered off in terms of who he’d interact with on the street – but now I’m working with everyone. A lot of them are giving me jip on the show.” Asked if that meant he might be staying permanently in Weatherfield, he added: “I take it day by day. For the foreseeable yes.”
Luca admitted his character has made some changes since his sentence but asked if he’s a different person now, he said: “A little bit. Corrie haven’t been unrealistic; they’ve not changed me into an angel overnight. It’s more highlighting and playing out the story of why he is the way he is. It’s witnessing him trying to fight who he is and the instincts he’s had.
“It’s been really interesting to play and it’s pushing me as actor. You’re playing a three dimensional character now, it’s not just a bully. Hopefully, it’ll be interesting to see that vulnerability to him.”