Coronation Street fans believe Spider Nugent’s days as an undercover cop on the ITV soap could be numbered after he became embroiled in Max Turner’s life on Monday evening.
Spider (Martin Hancock) found himself caught in between sinister activist Griff (Michael Condron) and Max (Paddy Bever) on the cobbles, as the teen was lured to a Halloween party.
The ITV soap announced last week that Max would be groomed into a far-right gang – leaving him and his family in danger.
Griff was introduced as a pal of Spider's, who seemingly shared his environmentalist views, and subsequently bonded with girlfriend Toyah Habeeb (Georgia Taylor).
However, when Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) took a shine to him, things took a worrying turn when they went to a gig together he walked out and confronted the group over the band's racist lyrics.
Griff’s sinister role on the cobbles deepened on Monday as he invited Max to his flat as part of a harrowing new grooming storyline after the teen was attacked by his school bullies.
Max hung out with Griff’s racist crowd as they began to let their vile views out – and Spider grew concerned for Max’s presence at the event when he arrived undercover.
Spider then tried to send the teen home, but instead Max ended up in a dodgy costume with a Hitler moustache – with Griff claiming the bowler hat turned him into Charlie Chaplin.
Griff even let Max down cans of beer and when Spider did try to intervene, a menacing Griff appeared at his shoulder and demanded to know why he was meddling.
Coronation Street fans now think the Max storyline could not only prove dangerous to Max, but could be what undoes Spider’s undercover identity as a copper.
Taking to Twitter after the scenes, one fan wrote: “I think Spider is about to reveal that he’s a copper! This gang is going too far!”
Another echoed: “He’s going to give himself away,” as a fellow fan penned: “Spider is doing a really terrible job as an undercover cop.”
“Spiders gonna end up blowing his cover if he doesn’t butt out,” another added.
Discussing the upcoming grooming storyline, Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod said: “Overall, Max’s story is one about the grooming of a vulnerable teenager at a point where he’s feeling most alienated and disenfranchised.
“The story will encompass the “traditional” recruitment techniques of extremists groups, and we’ll see Max befriended in person by older, mentor-like figures that will give him a sense of loyalty and brotherhood.
“Then, later in the story, we will explore a very 21st Century problem: teenagers self-radicalising through watching extreme content online.
“In the end, we wanted this to be a story about communication within families – what are the right and wrong ways to talk to younger family members who are gravitating towards extreme views?
“For the conclusion of the story, David’s misjudged attempts to deal with Max will drive the narrative to a shocking and thought-provoking climax.”
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV.
Got any theories or thoughts on the storyline? Let us know in the comments section below.
