Coronation Street fans were stunned by pre-watershed scenes involving drug taking and a sex worker in Monday night's episode of the soap (February 13). One Corrie viewer said it was "too much" as killer Stephen Reid looked like he might claim another victim in businessman Rufus Donahue as he visited his hotel room.
Underworld boss Carla Barlow told Stephen to resurrect the deal with Rufus and in return he’d receive 15-per-cent commission and a permanent contract. At Rufus’s hotel, Rufus made it clear he wasn't interested but offered him some cocaine and the hallucinogenic drug LSD.
Rufus gave Stephen a vial of LSD and headed to the bathroom, from where he could be heard snorting coke as Stephen listened. Suddenly, Rufus collapsed clutching his chest.
