The couple were left distraught by news of Mason’s death

Coronation Street fans have been left questioning the death of Mason Radcliffe as they revealed what they really wanted for the character before his heartbreaking exit.

Fans of the ITV soap haven’t always been a fan of the teen, played by Luca Toolan, due to his past on the cobbles. But Mason had recently been seen trying to turn his life around after he was imprisoned himself for possessing a knife amidst a cruel bullying campaign against fellow school pupil Liam Connor last year.

However, Mason was unable to completely shake off what he’d done in the eyes of many on the street, except for Stu Carpenter, Yasmeen Nazir, Sally and Tim Metcalfe, who all had a hand in helping him in recent months.

But the arrival of his brothers, Matty and Logan, last year as caused havoc on the cobbles, not just for their sibling, following his release from Young Offenders.

Their vendetta against their own brother reached a climax during Monday night’s (January 6) trip to Weatherfield. Matty and Logan attacked Mason and Dylan Wilson as Mason tried to retrieve some family photos from their flat to take with him to Germany after accepting a job offer from Stu.

After Mason was seemingly fine after a beating from his older siblings, things changed as Mason was seen going about his day. He and Liam discussed the latter carrying a knife for protection before the screen blurred back to reality and Mason was back sitting on the playground.

Only this time, he was bleeding heavily from a stab wound, inflicted by his brothers. It was revealed that a terrified Dylan had brought the zombie knife, which he’d been hiding for months, in a bid to help save Mason from his siblings. But his decision backfired as Logan took the knife, and as Mason jumped to Dylan’s defence, Matty pushed his younger sibling in Logan’s direction and right into the blade.

It was Abi Webster who was then the first at the scene to find Mason bleeding and did her best to stop the flow of blood before an ambulance arrived, having been delayed by a hoax call. But despite medical staff’s best efforts, Mason died as a result of his injuries sending shockwaves across the street.

In one scene, Sally and Tim were seen in bits over the news before the latter delivered a moving monologue. He spoke of the ramifications of children carrying knives, while scenes showed other members of the community. Among them was David Platt, still haunted himself by the fatal stabbing of first wife Kylie on the cobbles, looked out of his window in a scene reminiscent of mum Gail’s moving speech following the death of Aidan Connor.

Following the confirmation of Mason’s death, Corrie fans flocked to social media to share their sadness and also how they hoped Tim and Sally would be the ones to help Mason in the end.

@swarladefenderr said: “Despite the sadness of Mason losing his life, i’m so incredibly glad that he got to experience a fraction of the life he always longed for & was lucky enough to find sally & tim who were kind enough to grant him a second chance to turn his life around & redeem his past 🙁 #corrie.” @SWAINSCARLAS commented: “Seeing tim and sally so heartbroken, oh the family that mason deserved #Corrie.”

@MisTintehotbabe complained: “I’m actually p**sed of why would you do that kill off Mason he was just fitting in so well I wanted Sally and Tim to adopt him #corrie.” @ExtraUKTV echoed: “Sally & Tim should of adopted Mason Radcliffe if it wasn’t for his Horrible Brothers #Corrie.” @Wee_Westie29 wrote: “Tim and Sally were the parents that Mason really needed. #Corrie #CoronationStreet @itvcorrie.” @saoirseweir added: “I’m so sad for Sal & Tim & Betsy they gave mason a family, they gave him a chance even if it wasn’t for long #Corrie.”