Actor Liam McCheyne paid tribute to his co-star’s performance during his heartbreaking exit scenes

Coronation Street star Liam McCheyne has warned his former castmate Luca Toolan to ‘never be a stranger’ as he paid tribute to his performance during his heartbreaking exit scenes.

During Monday night’s (January 6) trip to Weatherfield, viewers of the ITV soap saw Mason Radcliffe, played by Luca, lose his life after being stabbed by his brothers.

Corrie revealed at the end of the year that it would kick off the year with a hard-hitting storyline that shines a light upon the damage that can be caused by carrying a knife after figures recently suggested that there had been an 80 percent increase in knife crime in England and Wales in the last 10 years.

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.

When he returned to the cobbles, he was taken under the wing of Stu Carpenter and Yasmeen Nazir and later Tim and Sally Metcalfe. While he wasn’t welcomed by everyone on the street,he still tried to make amends but he couldn’t escape his past and his brothers arrived to cause havoc, not just for their sibling, last year.

It culminated in the shocking scenes witnessed in the latest episode where Mason and Dylan Wilson were attacked by Matty and Logan 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.

During it, he and Liam discussed the latter carrying a knife for protection before the screen blurred back to reality. 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 Dylans defence, Matty pushed his younger sibling in Logan’s direction and right into the blade. It was Abi Webster was then the first at the scene to find Mason bleeding and did her best to stop the flow of blood before the ambulance showed up, which was delayed due to a hoax call. It was later confirmed Mason had died from his injuries.

Following the scenes, Liam, who plays Dylan, took to social media to pay tribute to co-star Luca as his exit was confirmed. Sharing pictures of the pair together on the Corrie set, the soap star said: “Well, we’ve had a ball! To be a part of storylines that has impacted so many.

“But the best bits, the bits I’ll always remember are those memories filled with happiness. Little times we’ve messed about, laughed, and I mean properly laughed. But we have both shared an experience of just loving what we’ve done. The pleasure and the privilege is mine.

“So then that was all she wrote for Mason Radcliffes. But Luca Toolans chapter has only just begun. So, onto the next, don’t wait just do. See what’s out there, explore, and I hope you can find as much happiness in your next adventure as you have found here. Lots of love. Never become a stranger.”

Luca was quick to respond, as he emotionally penned in the comments section: “Making me teary. Liam McCheyne there’s not many like you made anymore. A privilege to have spent my time with you and found a brother for life. Thank you pal what a talent and what a man from moment of screen test Ik u were a good soul the rest is history. Love u mate.”

Luca’s dad, Manchester’s own Hits Radio star Mike, also commented on the post as he said: “You both smashed it. And what an amazing friendship from day 1. See you soon mate when you can properly [beer emoji].”