Coronation Street viewers were stunned on Friday (October 13) as serial killer Stephen Reid met his end after being run over by Peter Barlow. The Canadian businessman, played by Todd Boyce, had terrorised Weatherfield for over a year, murdering Teddy and Leo Thompkins as well as business associate Rufus Donahue.
In the hour-long episode, Stephen returned to the street after realising his passport had been stolen by his girlfriend Jenny Connor. He faked a break-in at the Rovers Return and hid upstairs, waiting for Jenny. However, his niece Sarah Barlow followed her, and the pair waited for the police. When Stephen attacked Sarah with a pipe, Jenny tried to persuade him to surrender, but he refused.
Residents heard the commotion and broke into the pub. Stephen fled, holding a broken bottle to Jenny's neck. He demanded David Platt's car and forced Jenny to return his passport. Audrey Roberts pleaded with her son to give himself up, but Stephen walked into the street with Jenny. He eventually released her and dropped the bottle in defeat.
As Stephen turned around, an enraged Peter Barlow drove towards him at full speed, hitting him. Stephen was catapulted into the air and landed on the cobbles, bleeding. Peter stumbled out of the car, immediately regretting his actions as police arrived. Stephen's body was later zipped into a body bag and taken away.
The killing comes after Peter threatened Stephen for stealing £250,000 from Underworld. Viewers will now see how Peter avoids a murder charge. Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1.
