Corrie viewers have been left annoyed at the latest ‘exit plot’

Coronation Street viewers were left ‘fuming’ after the identity of the mystery arsonist was revealed on Monday (February 11). Last week, a horrifying fire devastated No.8 Coronation Street, leaving the Platt family homeless and an arsonist at large.

Detective constable Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) was assigned to find the person who started the fire and quickly made two promising arrests. However, the confident officer failed to catch the culprit, who later made a shocking confession.

The arsonist was identified when Shona Platt (Julia Goulding) watched CCTV footage that Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) had discovered at the garage, and she immediately recognised the jumper the person was wearing.

She went straight to the hospital and confronted Max Turner (Paddy Bever), pointing out that it was the same jumper she’d bought him for Christmas. Despite nearly perishing in the fire, Max finally admitted to setting his own home ablaze, revealing he did it to try and get Harvey Gaskell (Will Mellor) and the Radcliffe’s off their backs.

Coronation Street has finally revealed the fire starter and it could have devastating consequences (Image: ITV)

He explained that David Platt’s (Jack P Shepherd) jokes about burning down the house had inspired him, and he acted out of desperation to try and claim the insurance money to pay off David’s debts. It was then that David arrived, having been released from custody following his arrest in last week’s episodes, reports Lancs Live.

As Shona filled him in on what had happened while he was away, Max confessed to getting rid of the incriminating hoodie in a bin behind Underworld. Determined to keep Max out of the frame and thereby out of prison, David promised to sort it and quickly set off to find what he needed.

Unfortunately, David’s confidence was misplaced as Kit’s interrogation of Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) came to a halt with the introduction of new evidence.

Max has already had quite the dramatic year, following his involvement in the murder of notorious bad guy Joel Deering (Calum Lill), who preyed on Max’s current girlfriend Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton). Initially arrested for killing Joel in self-defence, it was Lauren who eventually confessed to delivering the fatal strike to her abuser Joel, leading to her being cleared of murder charges.

Max Turner told Shona Platt he is the person who started the fire in Coronation Street(Image: ITV)

As longtime fans of the ITV soap opera are aware, Paddy Bever, who has been portraying Max since 2021, is scheduled to say farewell to Weatherfield and his role as Max this spring.

In discussing his departure, Paddy expressed: “It’s been a great privilege to contribute to the legacy of such a well-loved and iconic show. This chapter has been unforgettable, and while I look forward to what lies ahead, I will treasure these memories.”

However, some Corrie watchers are expressing their discontent regarding the storyline of Max being the arsonist, especially given that it could be the plot leading to his exit. After Max’s extensive conflict with Joel, fans had envisioned a more positive departure from the cobbles, one where Max might start afresh with Lauren and her baby Frankie.

One viewer took to Reddit, expressing: “The arsonist is…Max. And I hate it. I mentioned it before but Max being the one to burn the house down makes no sense and it is very clear the writers wanted a cheap shock for the sake of it. If it was anyone else it would have made so much sense.”

Paddy Beaver is set to leave the ITV soap as Max Turner (Image: ITV)

They later added: “Any of these would have been better than it being Max because ‘David wanted to do it, but I did it instead’.”

Another fan chimed in with: “If he is leaving by going to prison for this, they may as well have had him responsible for killing Joel”. A third viewer stated: “Yeah, it was really stupid. Absolutely no reason for it.”

One viewer speculated about behind-the-scenes decisions, saying: “In terms of what is going on behind the scenes, Max needs to be written out so guessing he will go to prison then in a few years Paddy returns or Max is recast”.

Another suggested: “They missed a great opportunity to be rid of Lauren, Frankeh, and Max. They should have all gone to Ireland as was Lauren’s dream when pregnant”.

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV and ITVX