ITV Coronation Street fans horrified as character is ‘killed off-screen’ in disturbing scenes

CORONATION Street fans have all been left horrified after Rufus Donahue's was murdered - but who was the killer?

The dodgy businessman - played by Steven Meo - had an unwelcome visitor at his plush rented mansion in the latest instalment of the ITV soap.

As he opened the door, Rufus looked puzzled as he asked: "What the hell are you doing here?"

He was never seen or heard again and viewers have assumed it was serial killer Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce) who has struck again as Rufus continued to blackmail him.

He has been at war with Stephen for weeks after he discovered that he had been lacing Carla Connor's drinks with LSD.

In order to keep his secret, Stephen has agreed to a series of unfavourable business terms with Rufus which sees him earn a huge sum of profits from Underworld's spin-off business Whipper Snapper without having to do any work at all.

Stephen was left furious after having his hand forced by Rufus and ultimately agreed for him to take a 50% cut of all profits, a move which could potentially send the factory under when costs and staff wages are taken into consideration.

Meanwhile, Micheal Bailey (Ryan Russell) was left mulling over Rufus' rather promising offer of a job working as one of his lead designers in London.

Feeling overlooked that Stephen has essentially taken the credit for all the work on Whipper Snapper, despite it being his idea, Micheal was left feeling agitated at being treated as nothing more than Stephen's PA.

Following an explosive confrontation in the pub, Micheal informed Stephen that he had quit Underworld in order to take up Rufus' offer and in the process informed him he had a meeting lined up at his sprawling home at 8:30pm that evening.

Later, as Michael admired the house from the outside, the lights could be seen on as the song Everybody Dance Now blared from inside.

He knocked on the door, but no one answered.

As he tried to call Rufus but to no response, it appeared that something had occurred with Rufus' previous unwanted visitor.

Viewers took to Twitter to share their horror at the potential murder and Stephen adding Rufus to his victims, followed by Leo and Teddy.

One said: "It's so obvious that Stephen has killed Rufus, or most likely anyway. When's it going to stop?! That'll be 3 victims now.”

Another wrote: “Stephen has obviously paid Rufus a visit and Michael could find a body!”

A third penned: “What if they had a fight and Rufus killed Stephen here's hoping.”

A fourth added: “Looks like Stephen may have claimed his 3rd victim and that now makes him an official Corrie serial killer!”

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8pm on ITV1.