As Luke (played by Dean Fagan) came to the realisation that Phelan (Connor McIntyre) had lied about Andy Carver’s (Oliver Farmworth) whereabouts to cover up the murder, he set out to confront the builder.

However, when the desperate Liverpudlian realised his number was up, he added Luke to his ever-expanding list of victims.

For a moment, it looked as though Luke would be able to get away when he bludgeoned the murderer with a rock, but Phelan wasn’t out for the count.

An incredibly tense chase followed as Phelan raced after Luke in his van, managing to drive him off the road.

The conman proceeded to shoot through Luke’s windscreen but didn’t quite manage to hit him.

“Well you came looking for Andy, looks like you found him,” Phelan menaced: “You say hello from me.”

He then shot his gun again, this time aiming for the petrol tank of Luke’s car.

The vehicle erupted into flames as Luke tragically burned to death inside.

Dean, who plays Luke, has commented on the shock exit and disclosed that the murder will definitely have repercussions for Phelan.

The actor divulged: “He has now killed again which is a desperate act and one that is going to eventually start more questions being asked.”

He also referenced his own death scenes, noting that watching it from afar felt “like an out-of-body experience”.

“I came down the hill above where the scene was being done, I was like his soul standing there and watching him die," he said.

Coronation Street continues on Monday at 7.30pm on ITV.