RUFUS Donahue’s death is thrown back on the table as the businessman’s wife believes he was actually murdered.
How will Stephen Reid react? Get the lowdown on what can be expected to happen on Coronation Street.
Stephen panics as Rufus’ wife expresses her suspicions
Could she be in danger?
1. New murder victim chosen
Walls are continually closing in on the serial killer played by Todd Boyce, particularly after he was finally rejected by Elaine Jones whom he would have killed had she not figured out what he was up to.
In recent months, Stephen Reid was desperate to stay at the top of the Underworld factory after getting rid of Carla Connor.
However, his plans seemed foiled when Rufus Donahue came along and threatened to blow his cover.
As a result, and after murdering both Leo and Teddy Thompkins, the criminal portrayed by Todd Boyce turned into a full-blown serial killer by taking Rufus down in his home.
Months have since passed and the death has seemingly been swept under the rug, discarded as an accidental drowning.
Unfortunately for Stephen, upcoming scenes of the ITV soap will show him that his secrets could soon be exposed as Rufus’ wife sets out on her own mission to get to the bottom of his death.
Coming up, Lou calls at the factory and tells Stephen and Michael Bailey (Ryan Russell) she’s cancelled the meeting as the inquest report into Rufus’s death is due out the following day.
Lou makes it clear she suspects foul play and she’s contacted the Gazette – Stephen, knowing the jig could be up, masks his panic.
Alone in the factory office, Stephen scours the press for reports about Rufus’s death.
Later on, as Carla Connor (Alison King) and Stephen see a client out of the factory, Lou approaches and Stephen’s heart sinks.
She confides in Stephen and Carla that the Coroner found that Rufus died by misadventure.
Lou tells Stephen that as far as she’s concerned, Rufus’s drug fuelled death still doesn’t stack up.
Willing to do anything to cover his tracks, Stephen assures her it was obviously a tragic accident.
A guilty Stephen later struggles at Rufus’ memorial, after being asked by Rufus’ son Jools how he knew his father and he hurries out.
Returning with the staff from the factory in tow he explains to Carla that he thought it would make Rufus look more popular.
When Jools makes an emotional speech about his father, Stephen hurries off to the gents, watched by Carla and Lou.
He later returns and is horrified when he sees his tie pin in a bag that Lou shows him containing Rufus’ things that were found by the side of the pool.
Stephen is shocked when Lou reveals she is going to show the tie pin to the police as it didn’t belong to Rufus.
Could Stephen decide to lash out against Lou to keep her quiet about her suspicions?
Chris Gascoyne is due to leave the soap
2. Beloved resident framed
Stephen may have another name to add on his hit list but what if, instead of committing murder, he waited for one of Weatherfield’s stalwarts to take the blame for him?
This may well be an option as when Lou mentions Rufus’ missing watch, Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) is forced to confess to Carla that he found it in the back of his cab and pawned it for her rehab.
Soap legend Chris Gascoyne is reportedly leaving the Manchester-based drama.
Could his character be framed for one of Stephen’s vile crimes?
Will Adam take part in Stephen’s downfall?
3. Serial killer downfall
Another unexpected resident could be set to expose Stephen for his actions.
In recent instalments of the long-running drama, the businessman got involved in his niece Sarah Platt’s baby drama after she found out Damon Hay was the father of her unborn child.
Stephen faked a paternity test to help save Sarah’s marriage with Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson).
Unfortunately for the duo, Adam knew Sarah was lying all along and exposed her publicly during a supposed gender reveal party in the Bistro.
Stephen confessed to faking the result letter but, since then, viewers have theorised the solicitor may get revenge on his uncle-in-law.
“I wonder if Adam can now get Stephen arrested for opening his post, which is illegal, and tampering with the results?”, one viewer questioned on Twitter.
Another added: “OMG so he knew all along. Stephen is f***ed now then too.”
“The only thing that surprised me tonight was Stephen telling Adam he faked the DNA letter. I hope Sarah & Adam are really over this time”, a third added.
Will Adam be involved in taking Stephen down?
Will Gemma cheat on Chesney?
4. Shock affair
Henry Newton (portrayed by returning actor George Banks) could be causing trouble for former girlfriend Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) this week.
With the Rovers under threat, the mother-of-five is approached by George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) next week as he suggests that given her history with Henry, she could use her womanly wiles to change his mind about buying the place.
But will the plan work?
Later on, Gemma arrives at a hotel expecting to work on a cider promotion.
Henry explains that there is no promotion and he just wanted some time alone with her.
Meanwhile, when George lets slip that Gemma is meeting Henry and going to try and work her magic on him, her husband Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) is angry to realise she lied to him and heads over to the hotel.
Back at home, Gemma then explains she was only trying to save the Rovers and is not interested in Henry – but is she telling the truth?
Gemma feels bad about the pub going up for sale when she feels she could put a stop to it all if Chesney would let her work with Henry.
Her mother Bernie (Jane Hazlegrove) then calls at the kebab shop and tells Chesney that he needs to get over his dislike of Henry and prove to Gemma that he trusts her to work with him.
Gemma meets up with Henry in the precinct and tells him that if he promises to save the pub, she’ll accept his job offer and he’s delighted.
But will Gemma and Henry’s relationship remain strictly professional?
Fans believe Courtney may be related to another Corrie resident
5. Secret relatives
Sparks flew between Corrie newcomer Courtney Vance and Aadi Alahan.
However, fans couldn’t help but wonder if Stephanie Davis‘ character could be related to Claire Sweeney’s own Weatherfield alter ego, Cassie Plummer, who made her debut earlier this year.
Both actresses share a close bond and, speaking to The Express, Stephanie revealed that many viewers have wondered if her character could be Cassie’s secret daughter.
“I have had so many messages in my DM’s because Claire Sweeney was going in”, Stephanie said.
“And because she is scouse and I’m scouse, they were going ‘This is it, you’re going in as her daughter’ and trying to put the dots together.”
“I was reading it going ‘This is all so good’ so who knows we will have to wait and see.”
Could Courtney be Tyrone Dobbs’ long-lost sister?
Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.
