Coronation Street Fans Uncover Sinister Theory About Mal's Dark Past
Coronation Street enthusiasts are gripped by a chilling theory surrounding the character Mal Roper, portrayed by Tim Treloar, as his disturbing obsession with Bernie Winter, played by Jane Hazlegrove, escalates on the ITV soap. Fans fear that Mal's recent actions may hint at even more alarming revelations ahead, particularly regarding the existence of his wife, Alice.
Mal's Troubling Introduction and Fan Speculation
Mal's arrival on the cobbles raised immediate red flags when he confronted Roy Cropper, played by David Neilson, at the café, accusing him of an affair with Alice and resorting to violence. Roy had been writing to prisoners, including a woman named Alice who claimed he helped her son, leading to frequent communication and a planned meeting that never occurred. This backstory, combined with Mal's increasingly sinister behavior, has led Metro readers to theorize that Alice might be a fabrication.
In recent episodes, Mal's true nature emerged when he held Bernie against her will at Roy's Rolls. After she rejected his advances, he turned hostile, calling her a 'cheap tease.' The situation worsened when Bernie discovered her face cut out of wedding photos, with Mal as the prime suspect. This exposure of his dark side has sparked fan debates about a larger plot, with many questioning Alice's reality.
Fan Reactions and Evidence Supporting the Theory
On social media, fans have voiced their suspicions. Julie speculated on Facebook, 'What’s the betting that there never was a wife called Alice and he was gaslighting Roy all along?' Jenny echoed this, wondering if Mal himself wrote the letters, while Isla and Lorna agreed that Alice likely doesn't exist. Clare added, 'Think he was Alice & writing to Roy.' Some, like Ann, suggested a more grim possibility: 'I think he murdered his wife.'
Evidence from the show supports these theories. Before Mal's arrival, a scene showed him holding a phone with texts between Roy and Alice, coinciding with warnings from Nina Lucas and DC Kit Green about catfishing. Mal's possession of the phone suggests he might have orchestrated the correspondence. Although he appeared shocked by Roy's story and shared personal details about his son's court case—matching Alice's initial gratitude—his history of deceit raises doubts. Mal has lied convincingly, such as exaggerating electrical work needs to extend his stay and misrepresenting events with Bernie.
Potential Implications and Unanswered Questions
If the theory holds true, it raises critical questions about Mal's motives and background. How did he know to target Roy, who kept his prisoner correspondence private? This points to Mal possibly having a criminal past as an inmate himself, putting Bernie in greater danger. Additionally, why focus on Roy? Was Bernie the ultimate target, with Roy as collateral, or was it a coincidence? Mal's encounter with Bernie at the Chariot Square bar seems planned, but soaps often blur the lines between chance and design.
One certainty is that Mal is a dubious character, and his true intentions are likely to surface soon. With Coronation Street currently featuring multiple villains, this twist would fit seamlessly into the show's dramatic narrative. As fans await further developments, the mystery of Alice's existence adds a layer of suspense to the ongoing storyline.
