History repeats itself in Coronation Street this week as Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) attacks his father Ken Barlow (William Roache). In 2017, Ken was pushed down the stairs by a mysterious figure, leading to a whodunnit storyline. Fans eventually discovered that Daniel had pushed his dad after Ken meddled in his relationship with Sinead Tinker (Katie McGlynn) and called him an ‘embarrassment’.
In present day, Daniel appears calm but struggles with his troubled past. Recently, he learned that girlfriend Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) sexually abused a teenager and used their relationship as a cover. Turning to alcohol, Daniel has a short fuse.
In a new video, Daniel argues with Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson) after Adam finds young Bertie wandering alone because Daniel passed out drunk. Ken and Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney) arrive, and Adam highlights Bertie’s fear of finding Daniel asleep, reminding him that after Sinead died, Daniel told Bertie his mum fell asleep and didn’t wake up.
Rob Mallard said: ‘They’ve been in a good place, but Daniel finds it incomprehensible that Adam put business before family by representing Megan. Adam has a lot of patience, but there’s resentment simmering, possibly jealousy.’
Triggered, Daniel goes to punch Adam but accidentally smacks Ken in the face. ‘It’s like everything is spiralling. They corner him, he feels trapped, lashes out at Adam and catches Ken. It’s always Ken he hurts. When Daniel’s trapped, he comes out fighting, and resentment from his childhood finds its way back to Ken. He still feels abandoned by Ken. Even though they’re in a better place, that resentment simmers.’
Mallard added: ‘When I play scenes with Bill, whenever Ken gives advice, I play it like a 14-year-old because that’s where their relationship was left. Daniel can’t help but turn into a petulant teenager around Ken.’
