Coronation Street star Joe Duttine addresses death fears for Tim in Stephen story

 "I think the audience should be worried."

Coronation Street star Joe Duttine has discussed the possibility of his character Tim Metcalfe being killed off this week.

The ITV show has highlighted Tim as a potential final victim for serial killer Stephen Reid, who's about to bow out in dramatic style.

Monday's episode (October 9) sees Tim investigate Stephen's secrets and find Teddy Thompkins' body hidden away in the local canal.

A horrified Tim springs into action and hopes to expose Stephen as a killer, but the villain goes on the attack and knocks him unconscious.

Before long, Tim is facing a desperate fight for his life as Stephen locks him in a car boot and douses the vehicle with petrol.

, Joe teased: "When Tim goes down to the canal, walks along the towpath and sees a hand coming out of the roof box, that's when the reality hits him. He spots the decomposed body in the canal and realises that Stephen is capable of that.

"At first, Tim is just thinking in the moment. I don't think he really thinks about the danger that he's in. I don't think he's scared at first, but suddenly it kicks in when he's confronted with a killer. I loved doing all that stuff."

Discussing how these scenes were filmed out on location, Joe continued: "It was great. It's great to do something different as well – it's great to get out of the building.

"During the COVID lockdowns, we were using the building a lot. When you can work in real locations, it adds a certain reality to it. It's just nice to be involved. Getting out of the taxi office and getting away from Steve McDonald from time to time is a bit of a bonus, isn't it?

"For some reason, you also feel a bit closer to the crew when you're on location. It's like you're getting a sleepover! It's good to get out and do something a bit different."

Joe said that a particular highlight was working closely with Todd Boyce, who played the role of Stephen.

He said: "Todd has just got no ego. He's playing the main part but he's really down with that – he just gets on with it. He turns up, does the job and he was a real joy. You just get on with it, there's no point making a song and dance about it. You just trust each other.

We also had a stunt double, but the only time I used the double was for when Tim fell on the floor. I said: 'If we can, I want to do it!'"

Asked whether viewers should be worried about a possible death for Tim, Joe replied: "I think so, yeah. I like the fact that we don't know what's going on with Tim after Monday's episode and we focus on the story with the Platts instead.

"I like the fact that we don't know where he is. You almost forget about him. So I think the audience should be worried for Tim.