Three massive Coronation Street theories: bullying ordeal takes deadly turn and secret money-making plot goes wrong

THINGS are going from bad to worse for some Weatherfield residents this week, but could one of them die?

Comeuppance could also be near for one Coronation Street villain as another resident starts to put two and two together.

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1. Bully gets revenge

Liam Connor (portrayed by Charlie Wrenshall) gets all the blame this week as the lad's bullying torment continues at the hands of Mason Radcliffe (Luca Toolan).

Viewers of the Manchester-based program have been fearing the worst for Liam as Mason has shown that he's not scared of attacking his targets with weapons.

Coming up next week, Liam's ordeal - which he has tried to keep under wraps to avoid more trouble - takes another troubling turn as he decides to take a stand.

It all begins in the school corridor as Dylan Wilson (Liam McCheyne) asks Mason if he plans to return Liam’s phone.

However, Mason laughs and tells Dylan that if Liam turns up for their meeting, he’s a dead man.

After overhearing the conversation, Liam stares Mason out and promises he’ll be there.

But a worried Dylan warns Liam not to meet Mason, though Liam remains adamant that it’s time he stood up to him.

As Liam approaches Mason and his mates, he overhears Dylan referring to him as a loser.

Goaded by Mason, Liam rams Dylan up against a wall and as Mrs Crawshaw appears, the latter falls to the ground. 

In other scenes, Gary Windass (Mikey North) reveals that Liam is being bullied at school and Dylan is ignoring him.

This prompts Dylan's father Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) to scoff, but George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) silences him with a look. 

Making it clear to Gary that he’s done enough damage later on, Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon) sets off to the police station with Liam.

Sean then rails at Gary and tells him he’s glad he reported Liam to the police as bullies need to be punished.

In the police station, Maria assures Liam that everything will be fine if he tells the truth. 

However, she then grows increasingly convinced that Liam is covering for someone and Maria shares her suspicions with Gary.

Due to Mason's dangerous behaviour, many viewers of the Manchester-based program have speculated that he may react with great violence towards Liam as Maria finds out he is the cause of all the havoc around her.

Mason has already shown up on our screens with a knife in hand to intimidate Liam.

Since then, viewers have been adamant - soap bosses have a knife crime storyline in the works.

Could Mason take things to another sickening level?

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2. Devastating death

Meanwhile, Ed Bailey's money woes become deadly.

The builder portrayed by Trevor Michael Georges left his family without any Christmas presents during the festive season after his money troubles spiralled out of control and a loan shark rocked up to wreak havoc at No.3.

This week, one of his closest relatives is caught up in catastrophe and their life is on the line.

It all begins when Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) tells her father Ed that it's time he moved back home.

Unfortunately, when Dee-Dee urges her brother Michael (Ryan Russell) to bury the hatchet with Ed and allow him to move back home, he declares if Ed moves back in he’ll move out.

As Dee-Dee desperately pleads Ed’s case to Michael, they’re interrupted by a loud knocking at the door. 

Dee-Dee and Michael are shocked beyond belief to find two bailiffs on the doorstep, indicating that Ed's troubles are reaching yet another unexpected level.

Ed tells Dee-Dee that his mate, Marcus, has offered him a bed at his house so he will move out today and is hoping that Gary will put in an offer for the yard.

In the Bistro, Gary explains to Ed that he won’t be buying the yard.

As Dee-Dee helps Ed pack up his things and admits Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson) will be glad of the space, Marcus calls Ed and drops a bombshell.

Marcus tells him the spare room is no longer available but Ed covers to avoid worrying his close circle.

Ed's brother Ronnie (Vinta Morgan) then tells Michael that Marcus has informed him Ed is now homeless.

Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) approaches and reveals that Ed seemed quite desperate after a fruitless meeting with Gary.

Michael is later horrified to see smoke billowing from the builder’s yard and as he races up the stairs, there’s no sign of Ed.

Unfortunately, as Michael turns to leave, he realises the fire has spread and the stairs are engulfed in flames.

Many soap watchers have speculated Michael could lose his life in the fire.

But what if Ed was also trapped and unable to be saved?

Could this be the end of the road for Ed?

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3. New scam plot

However, another theory has emerged as anything could be possible in soap land.

Weatherfield residents are no stranger to cutting corners in order to get what they want and Ed Bailey is no exception.

In recent scenes of the long-running program, the builder treated himself to a bank card in the name of the late Norris Cole but identity theft may not be his only crime.

Builders are entitled to compensation and insurance in the case something bad happens to their business.

Could a desperate Ed set his own business ablaze for a pay-out in a last-ditch attempt to get rid of his crippling debt?

Could his scheme have gone wrong?

Will he survive?

Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.