On Monday night, Coronation Street’s Mason Radcliffe is left fighting for his life after being viciously attacked by his brothers with a zombie knife.
The dramatic scenes will see Mason (Luca Toolan) in a critical condition after being stabbed by his brothers, Matty (Harry Lowbridge) and Logan (Seamus McGoff).
The storyline comes as England and Wales has seen an 80% increase in knife crime in the last 10 years. According to a *study compiled up to June 2024, there have been 50,973 police-recorded offences involving a knife or sharp instrument.
The same study highlights that there have been 225 murders involving a knife or sharp instrument in England and Wales in the 12 months to June 2024, 78 of the victims were aged under 25, and 10 of the victims were aged under 16.
Kate Brooks, Producer of Coronation Street, 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.”
The storyline escalated when Lisa (Vicky Myers) showed Mason photographs taken at the crime scene of Becky’s death and revealed that his brothers were behind the murder.
Determined to take his brothers down, Mason searched their flat and found a WWII helmet, matched to the one listed in Becky’s case file, and handed it in to the police station. After being questioned by Kit (Jacob Roberts) the brothers come looking for Mason intent on brutal revenge.
When the altercation breaks out in the children’s play area, Dylan (Liam McCheyne) manages to make his escape. Abi (Sally Carmen) is first at the scene to find Mason bleeding and does her best to stop the flow of blood before the ambulance shows up.
As news of the stabbing spreads around the street, the whole community is left shocked and horrified, with the tragedy affecting each resident.
Coronation Street have been working closely with The Ben Kinsella Trust to ensure the storyline will be told as accurately and sensitively as possible.
Patrick Green, CEO of The Ben Kinsella Trust, 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.
“This storyline aims to raise public awareness of the dangers of knife crime. Furthermore, we hope it will encourage viewers to seek help and support before situations escalate, ultimately contributing to the prevention of knife violence.”
On his upcoming storyline, Luca Toolan said:
“I truly am honoured to be a part of this storyline. 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.
“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.”
Coronation Street is on ITV1 at 8pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and on ITVX and STV.
Glenda Young
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