Coronation Street killer Stephen Reid targets another neighbour as fan favourite is left in peril

STEPHEN Reid is the latest killer to be roaming free in the cobbles as he looks to get rich.

The Coronation Street villain turns his attention to a new resident next week while another remains in deep trouble.

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Stephen Reid is going to extreme lengths to keep his secrets under wraps[/caption]

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Michael Bailey is becoming a big thorn in his side[/caption]

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But Nina Lucas is thrown into the mix next week[/caption]

Audrey Roberts’ son (played by Todd Boyce) has gone to bizarre lengths to keep his dastardly deeds under wraps but the truth is slowly catching up to him in the Underworld factory.

While Rufus Donahue is giving him a hard time by blackmailing him, Stephen is also at odds with Michael Bailey (Ryan Russell) after the latter suggested he should get a cut of the profits from the Nippersnapper deal.

Stephen didn’t want to hear any of it but when Michael gets sick of being discarded despite all his good work, he decides to quit, encouraged by a huge opportunity from Rufus in a swanky London office.

With Michael quitting, Stephen finds himself without a Head of Design and turns to Nina Lucas (Mollie Gallagher) in scenes airing next week on ITV.

The youth already has experience in the matter as she previously did designs for Underworld boss Carla Connor (Alison King).

But will she leave the factory alive as Stephen gets ready to strike again?

Spoilers have confirmed the serial killer will be making a third victim in Weatherfield when he realises his secret could come to light.

After Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan) suggests that Michael should be given credit for the Nippersnapper deal, Stephen reluctantly allows him to be part of his next meeting – before trying to keep at arm’s length.

While Michael heads off to make the tea, Rufus Donahue (Steven Meo) tells Stephen that, after some consideration, he’s decided 25% of the profits isn’t enough and he’d actually like half.

Stephen is reeling and despite his attempt to keep Michael out of the meeting by sending him out to take more designs to Sarah Platt, Rufus manages to meet the employee in the Street before offering him a job in his London office.

Everything comes to a head when Stephen is forced to accept Rufus’ new terms.

The latter heads out himself as Michael shows Gazette reporter Suki in.

As Stephen and Suki conduct their interview about Nippersnapper, Michael is annoyed to be overlooked and leaves.

Stephen orders him back to work but Michael takes great pleasure in telling him that Rufus offered him a far better job in London.

But when Michael arrives at Rufus’ home for their meeting, he gets no reply to the doorbell.

Michael only hears loud music from the inside of the home and calls Rufus before leaving him a voicemail.

Following this failed meeting, Michael goes cap in hand to Stephen and asks if can remain at Underworld after all.

Unfortunately, Stephen snaps he’s too late and Nina Lucas is the new Head of Design.

While Elaine Metcalfe is left in utter shock, Nina wonders what she’s let herself in for.

Michael is in a difficult position but Ronnie advises him to go back to Rufus’ house and do his best to smooth things over.

But when he follows through and turns up at Rufus’ house, he’s mortified to find it swarming with police.

The housekeeper soon reveals that Rufus is dead and she found his body in the swimming pool, leaving Michael reeling in shock.

Stephen later has a suggestion for him – is Michael next on his hit list?

Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.

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Nina previously did designs for Carla Connor[/caption]

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Could she soon be on Stephen’s hit list?[/caption]