In a dramatic early release on ITVX, Coronation Street has revealed the assailant behind the brutal Christmas Day attack on Daniel Osbourne. The festive episode, which aired ahead of its television broadcast, shows Daniel's violent ordeal in the ginnel and the subsequent unmasking of his attacker.
The Christmas Day Assault
Daniel Osbourne, played by Rob Mallard, saw his Christmas celebrations come to a horrifying and violent end. He was brutally attacked from behind in a Weatherfield ginnel, leaving him unconscious and in need of hospital treatment. He was discovered by the sharp-eyed Evelyn Plummer, portrayed by Maureen Lipman.
Upon waking in hospital, Daniel was unable to identify his assailant, explaining he had been struck from behind. His watch and wallet were stolen during the assault, leaving police and his family with little to go on initially.
Gran's Interrogation Uncovers the Truth
While Daniel's loved ones remained in the dark, one resident quickly grew suspicious. Maggie Driscoll, played by Pauline McLynn, had noted the palpable tension between Daniel and her grandson, Will Driscoll, during their Christmas dinner. This led her to question Will about his whereabouts on the night of the attack.
Under his grandmother's intense scrutiny, Will, portrayed by Lucas Hodgson-Wale, quickly folded. He confessed to being the one who attacked Daniel, though he withheld the true, jealousy-fuelled motive behind his actions.
A Motive Rooted in Jealousy
Viewers will know that Will's confession to Maggie only told half the story. The real reason for the assault stems from his complex relationship with sports coach Megan, played by Beth Nixon. Megan, who groomed Will and recently moved to Weatherfield, has struck up a romantic connection with Daniel.
This has left Will seething with jealousy, despite Megan's claims that she is merely keeping their past relationship secret. Daniel had already confronted Will about his "teenage crush" on Megan, and tensions boiled over at the Christmas dinner table, leading to a war of words between the two men.
Will lied to Maggie, claiming he attacked Daniel because he didn't like the way he spoke to her. Satisfied with this explanation, Maggie chose to keep her grandson's secret, even as Will's father, Ben Driscoll, revealed a homeless man had been arrested after Daniel's stolen belongings were found in his possession.
A Shocking Twist: An Accomplice Revealed
In a chilling flashback scene, the ITVX episode delivered a major twist: Will did not act alone. The early release confirmed he had an accomplice during the vicious attack on Daniel. The identity of this partner-in-crime is being kept under wraps for those who have yet to watch the full episode, adding a layer of mystery and conspiracy to the already shocking crime.
The big question now hanging over Weatherfield is whether Will and his mysterious accomplice can continue to evade justice, or if the truth about the Christmas Day attack is destined to come crashing down on them.
