Luca Toolan has been a hit with fans since he joined the soap
Luca Toolan has been a hit with Coronation Street fans since he first arrived on the soap. The actor joined the cast as Mason Radcliffe last year and been a key part in some of the show’s most intense storylines.
He was introduced as part of a harrowing bullying plot when he made Dylan Wilson and Liam Connor’s lives a misery. However, Mason’s character has changed since he returned to the Cobbles after he served time in the Young Offender’s Institute.
Luca spoke to the ECHO at the Soap Awards this summer as he detailed how fans will have the chance to see a new side to his onscreen counterpart. He said: “[There will be] less trouble and a lot of pain. A lot of pain for Mason, not inflicted by Mason for a change. Rounding him out a little bit. Seeing that vulnerability and seeing that he is a human.”
However, Mason’s attempts to stay on the straight and narrow has been hit with his romance with Betsy Swain. The troubled newcomer, played by Sydney Martin, got Mason in trouble with his job at the Speed Daal when he rejected her advances.
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Fans suspected the dynamic between the two may have led Mason to kill Joel Deering amid the ongoing whodunnit plot. Mason was spotted with the suspected murder weapon, which led fans he may have killed the villain to protect Betsy.
Katie said: “He likes Betsy so could be justice for her?! X” Laurance added: “Mason, by accident, Ed and his brother witnessed it and decided to keep it quiet” Jasper commented: “It’s definitely Mason! He was caught with a crowbar and Joel was murdered with a crow bar!”
However, Mason’s part in the murder seems to have been vindicated as Friday explored Dee Dee Bailey’s potential involvement in killing her fiancée. Speaking to the ECHO, Luca explained how being a part of such intense and dramatic storylines can take its toll.
On the challenges of playing Mason, he said: “It is quite draining. On the first stint, there was a lot of aggressive scene towards Charlie. Of course, it is acting but it doesn’t feel nice. It is stuff that takes a lot of energy from you.
“In this second stint, there’s going to be a lot of challenging and taxing scenes to film, but it’s more on me. It’s more me feeling that pain and that vulnerability and I think I prefer that.”
While Mason has endured a fractured relationship with his fellow Cobbles’ residents, his life away from the screen is fortunately less turbulent. Luca is close friends with his co-stars, including Dylan Wilson actor, Liam McCheyne, and Liam Connor actor, Charlie Wrenshall.
The actor told the ECHO the part on the Cobbles is a dream come true as he added: “It’s doing the job that you wanted to do since you were a little kid with some of your closest mates.”
Luca is well adjusted to a life in showbiz as he hails from a famous family. His dad is Mike Toolan, who hosts a show on Hits Radio, alongside Gemma Atkinson.
Although Luca plays a Weatherfield High student on the screen, he is actually older than his character. He celebrated his 20th birthday earlier this year and Luca shared a snap alongside his dad as he commemorated his birthday.
He said: “Twenneh. Thanks God for an incredible year.” Fans took to the comments to send messages of support after the update. Daniel said: “Happy birthday legend”
Tara posted: “Happy birthday Luca. Wishing you all the best” Abi added: “happy birthday! hope you had the best day x” John commented: “All the very best and here’s to many more!!”
Luca regularly shares updates from his life away from the screen and thrilled fans when he welcomed a new pet dog earlier this year. On his TikTok, he said: “Finding out I was going to be a young dad was scary.”
Accompanying the second photo, which showed him outdoors with a dog, he added: “But being a dog dad wasn’t scary it’s amazing.” Luca then shared a snap of his new pet, urging his followers with the caption: “Give me name some suggestions,” and his fans didnt waste any time jumping into the conversation.
One fan said: “I got confused for a second there.” Another added “No because before I swiped I was so confused I thought I missed a load of chapters.” A third commented: “Not me actually thinking you’re becoming a dad.”
