ITV Coronation Street 'set for first' with new Mason storyline as something 'big' is coming

Coronation Street fans are predicting a soap first with a new plot twist involving Mason Radcliffe. The school bully, portrayed by Luca Toolan, arrived on the cobbles last year and has been causing havoc ever since. Audiences were left shocked as they watched him torment Maria Connor's (played by Samia Longchambon) young son, Liam Connor (Charlie Wrenshall).

The drama escalated when Mason threatened Liam with a knife, pushing the youngster to contemplate suicide. However, in April, Mason was sent to a Young Offenders institution for his knife threat towards Liam. During the court trial, Dylan courageously confronted Mason, testifying against him.

But last month, Mason made a return to the cobbles after being released from the Young Offenders institution, unsettling many - including Liam and Dylan, reports the Express. In the meantime, Stu Carpenter (Bill Fellows) has shown sympathy for Mason, securing him a job at his restaurant. The news of Mason working at Speed Daal sparked anger among several residents.

Despite this, Stu maintained that he could see Mason was attempting to change his ways. Mason has also formed a bond with troublemaker Betsy Swain (Sydney Martin), the daughter of DS Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers).

However, this week, Mason rebuffs Betsy, asserting he's not interested in pursuing her. Now, viewers believe the soap is setting up a fresh storyline for Mason. One Coronation Street fan has sparked a flurry of speculation on Reddit, suggesting that school bully Mason might be revealed as the show's first asexual character.

The theory comes ahead of scenes where Mason declines an advance from Betsy, prompting the fan to question: "Do you think we're heading for a coming out storyline? Or is he simply just not interested in her?"

The viewer speculated further: "Maybe he'll eventually develop feelings and there'll be a love triangle with Dylan. I know not everyone fancies everyone, but she does seem his type, unless he really does want to change and sees her as a bad influence."

They also pointed out: "A few people have suspected this, esp as he seems to (pretend to? ) be homophobic. He could even be aromantic/ asexual (I don't think Corrie's ever had an established one)."

Adding fuel to the fire, the fan mentioned: "Samia L (Maria) stated that something 'big' will happen later this year. Maybe it's something similar to Lucas and Dillon."

This follows a tease from Samia Longchambon, who plays Maria, telling Inside Soap about a significant plot involving Mason set to unfold later in the year.

Another theory was put forward by a different Reddit user, who wrote: "It will probably be a homosexuality coming out storyline where he has feelings for Liam which will be super awkward and weird both in the show and as a viewer. But they SHOULD go for an asexuality storyline because it's very underrepresented."

One speculative fan commented: "Could the reason Mason is not interested in Betsy be because he is attracted to somebody else, like for instance, Liam? To me, it would explain, partly his bullying of Liam rather than getting too matey with him."

A different viewer pondered on a potential plot twist: "If he was gay, there could be a storyline where Sean feels sorry for him and helps him come to terms with things."

Yet, another was less enthusiastic about the possibility of Mason opening up to Sean if he were gay or asexual, opining: "Ugh, plausible as that is, I just groaned and wouldn't that just be a kick in the head to Dylan, from his perspective anyway? Nothing surprises me about the writing anymore tbh."

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX