Coronation Street viewers were left outraged on Tuesday night when fan-favourite George Shuttleworth was arrested on suspicion of murder. The undertaker, played by Tony Maudsley, was taken in for questioning following the death of Theo Silverton, who was found dead at the bottom of scaffolding during the soap's controversial Murder Week.
The arrest came after George rushed to aid his surrogate son Todd Grimshaw, who had been a victim of abuse at the hands of Theo. During a confrontation, George ended up with Theo's blood on his shirt, leading DS Lisa Swain to bring him in for questioning. Fans were quick to criticise the move, with many pointing out Swain's history of arresting the wrong person, having previously locked up Roy Cropper and Dev Alahan.
In the interview room, Swain pressed George, noting the blood on his shirt and questioning why he went for a walk instead of staying home. George admitted to hitting Theo but insisted he and Todd locked him in the bathroom and fled to call the police. Swain countered, asking if anyone could confirm his account, leaving George without an alibi.
Back at home, Christina, George's partner, began to worry as the questioning dragged on. She later told Todd that only the murderer knows who killed Theo, hinting at her own potential involvement. Christina is among six official suspects, alongside Todd, Summer Spellman, Gary Windass, and Theo's ex-wife Danielle Silverton.
Fans took to social media to express their fury, with one writing: 'I’ve never been more certain of someone’s innocence!!!!' Another said: 'Poor George is a nervous wreck being interviewed by DS Swain.' A third raged: 'Another ridiculous storyline where we all know, except for the Keystone cops of Corrie, that George did nothing!'
Coronation Street continues weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The whodunnit storyline is set to unfold over the coming weeks, with six suspects in the frame.
