Coronation Street star in stabbing horror after vicious attack with zombie knife

A shocking Coronation Street plot will next week see troubled teen Mason Radcliffe fighting for his life after being stabbed by his brothers with a zombie knife.

The violent attack, which happens in Monday’s episode, will see Mason, played by Luca Toolan, left in a critical condition after the vicious attack by his low-life siblings Matty and Logan. Mason has been trying to put his life back together again after his prison stint and since being outed as a bully who made Liam Connor’s life so miserable that the youngster considered ending it all earlier this year.

He has made good progress at building bridges in Weatherfield – but pays a high price for trying to help DS Lisa Swain incriminate the villainous pair, as she digs deeper into their involvement into the death of her late wife Becky, who was hit by a car. Logan (Seamus McGoff) and Matty (Harry Lowbridge) turn on Mason after he raids their flat and discovers a WWII helmet that can place them at the scene of Becky’s death.

The harrowing plot comes as data revealed England and Wales has seen an 80% increase in knife crime over the past decade. Statistics compiled for the 12 months up to June 2024 showed there were 50,973 police-recorded offences involving a knife or sharp instrument.

The study also showed there were 225 murders involving a knife or sharp instrument in England and Wales during that same period, with 78 of the victims aged under 25, and 10 aged under 16. Coronation Street boss Kate Brooks said: “It’s vitally important to shine a light on this topic, and really show the impact knife crime has on not only the victim and their loved ones, but also the wider community.

“With the alarming statistics, we want to do anything we can as a show to combat this violent endemic. After watching this harrowing, but important story unfold, if one person thinks twice about bringing a knife to a fight, then we’ve achieved our aim to raise awareness.”

When the attack happens in the children’s play area, Abi (Sally Carmen) is first at the scene and does her best to stop the flow of blood before the ambulance shows up. Actor Luca said he was “honoured” to be a part of the brutal plot. “I’ve always enjoyed Coronation Street as a viewer, but I completely underestimated the power that it has on its audience until I was involved in the bullying storyline,” he explained.

“Fingers crossed this storyline will be received the way we are hoping it will be and ultimately, if one person drops a knife and someone is saved, that would definitely make it all worth it.”

The ITV soap, which airs at 8pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, has worked closely with The Ben Kinsella Trust to ensure the storyline is told accurately and sensitively. CEO Patrick Green said: “This impactful Coronation Street storyline vividly highlights the devastating consequences of knife crime. We applaud the show for their commitment to working closely with us to accurately depict this reality.