Coronation Street star Todd Boyce explains collapse drama in Stephen plot

Coronation Street star Todd Boyce has explained his character Stephen Reid's next ruthless plan.

Stephen finds himself in a new battle of wills in Monday's episode (February 13) as he tries to convince sleazy businessman Rufus to sign a deal with Underworld.

Scheming Stephen recently tried to help his niece Sarah Barlow and her business partner Michael Bailey to strike a deal with Rufus for their rival company.

This was thwarted when Carla Barlow found out that they'd all betrayed her by using her factory and resources to set up the business. She retaliated by seizing their designs.

What to Read Next

In Monday's episode, Carla tells Stephen that she wants to proceed with Sarah and Michael's plans for the designs – which means getting Rufus back on board.

Carla promises Stephen a permanent contract at the factory and a 15% commission if he can successfully sweet-talk Rufus.

Stephen goes to meet Rufus at a hotel room, but the discussion descends into chaos when Rufus takes cocaine and collapses. As always when he's in a pickle, Stephen spots an opportunity to turn this situation to his advantage.

Speaking about the latest scenes, Todd explained: "Stephen has gone to the hotel to try and get Rufus to sign the deal. Rufus offers him some drugs which Stephen turns down, saying that they don't agree with him.

ITV

"Rufus offers him some LSD and Stephen is quite shocked and points out that LSD makes you see things.

"Rufus collapses in the room and is taken away by the paramedics and this sex worker turns up.

"Having heard Rufus speaking to his wife and being all lovey dovey, Stephen realises that he can use this as evidence against Rufus to force him to sign the contract. So he gets the sex worker to record this message about their hook-up and he steals the vials of LSD."

Stephen is Corrie's latest secret killer, having claimed the lives of Leo and Teddy Thompkins in recent months.

ITV

Discussing how Stephen has become more creative with his lies and deception, Todd pointed out: "He always has an answer. He has ingenious ways of getting out of situations. He is such a good liar. I think he must have always had that in him.

"On YouTube, I watched an old scene with Stephen and Alma where she slaps him and I was really surprised that I was doing the exact same slight adjustment with my voice that I do for him now when he is in a tricky situation.

"It seems without knowing it, I have walked right back in where I left off. I wasn't really aware I had done that until I watched that old scene.

"There is something about him. He is and always has been smart and he is also manipulative."

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.