Coronation Street's latest villain is a familiar face from fellow ITV soap Emmerdale.
As the latest episode was broadcast from the Cobbles, eagle eyed fans of the show noticed that newbie Luke Delaney has featured in other soaps including Emmerdale as well as Hollyoaks. Luke plays Dave Fairchild, who will be one of the key players in a new storyline as Max Turner (Paddy Bever) is groomed by extremists in a horrifying storyline.
Luke also previously starred in Emmerdale, and as he made his Cobbles debut last night, keen soap fans would have no doubt remembered him starring in the ITV soap back in 2020.
When he was in Emmerdale, Luke starred as a masseuse and shared his scenes with a number of important villagers including Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller), Cain Dingle ( Jeff Hordley ), Vinny Dingle ( Bradley Johnson ) and Paddy Kirk ( Dominic Brunt ). The scene saw Luke massage Eric Pollard before asking who was next.
Luke has also had roles in Peaky Blinders alongside Cillian Murphy and played a villain in Hollyoaks, who kidnapped Maxine Minniver.
For his role on Coronation Street, Luke will star as Dave, who is part of a far right extremist group that begins to groom vulnerable teenager Max as he is befriended by extremists when Griff stands up to his bullies.
His actions will see him put his own life at risk as well as that of his friends and family, with Max being asked to a Halloween party during Monday's episode, with the gang convinced they can use Max to their advantage.
Coronation Street Producer, Iain MacLeod, said: "Overall, Max's story is one about the grooming of a vulnerable teenager at a point where he's feeling most alienated and disenfranchised. The story will encompass the 'traditional' recruitment techniques of extremists groups, and we'll see Max befriended in person by older, mentor-like figures that will give him a sense of loyalty and brotherhood.
"Then, later in the story, we will explore a very 21st Century problem: teenagers self-radicalising through watching extreme content online. In the end, we wanted this to be a story about communication within families - what are the right and wrong ways to talk to younger family members who are gravitating towards extreme views? For the conclusion of the story, David's misjudged attempts to deal with Max will drive the narrative to a shocking and thought-provoking climax."
*Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV.
