Eagle-eyed Coronation Street fans have sent shockwaves through the fanbase after piecing together a stunning family connection between the new Costello clan and a legendary soap villain from years gone by.
The penny dropped for viewers during recent episodes featuring the increasingly sinister 'wellness coach' Rowan Cunliffe, who has been manipulating Leanne Battersby. As Rowan's unsettling behaviour intensified, long-term fans experienced a major case of déjà vu.
A Chilling Family Resemblance
It wasn't long before dedicated ITV viewers took to social media, pointing out the uncanny and sinister resemblance between the manipulative Rowan and the notorious Richard Hillman – Weatherfield's very first serial killer portrayed by Brian Capron in the early 2000s.
This has sparked a massive fan theory that Rowan Cunliffe could actually be a relative of the infamous Hillman, potentially even his son. The theory suggests this could be a long-game revenge plot against the street for the downfall of his father.
The Costellos' Dark Secret?
The plot thickens with the recent arrival of the Costello family. Fans are now speculating wildly that the seemingly ordinary new family might be hiding a deep and dark secret – a direct bloodline to one of the street's most terrifying residents.
This would not be the first time Corrie has explored a villain's legacy, but it would certainly be one of the most explosive revelations in recent years if proven true.
Social Media Erupts With Theories
Online forums and Twitter are ablaze with the potential connection. One fan tweeted: 'Rowan is giving major Hillman vibes! The mannerisms, the fake charm… it has to be intentional.'
Another added: 'The Costellos are 100% related to Richard Hillman. Calling it now. This is a revenge storyline waiting to happen.'
This clever sleuthing by the Coronation Street faithful has turned a standard cult storyline into a potential earth-shattering saga, leaving everyone wondering what the writers have in store next for the residents of Weatherfield.
