The beloved character’s fate was confirmed in this evening’s episode, after a terrifying showdown with John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) last week.

A picture discovered by Mackenzie that was stuck in John’s scrapbook allowed him to work out that he was involved in Nate Robinson’s (Jurell Carter) murder. He then got into John’s van and believed he was being driven to the train station.

Little did Mack know that John had worked out what his enemy had seen. He tricked Mackenzie into thinking he needed help with fixing an item in the back of his van, just to get him outside.

As it dawned on Mack that he’d no longer be going to London, he attempted to make a run for it into the woods.

John followed him with a bow and arrow. Despite the fact Mack was running fast, John’s weapon meant he really had no chance.

An arrow was shot and went straight through Mackenzie’s chest. The last we saw of him in that episode, he was begging for John not to kill him. Due to the fact Mack knew too much, John wasn’t going to let him go. He picked up a boulder and threw it down, making it look as though he had just murdered Mackenzie.

In the days that followed, fans of the ITV soap have been convinced he didn’t die. They noticed a few clues, but got their answer tonight as we saw Mack for the first time.

Prior to this, John had another problem to deal with when he realised Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) had broken into the locked door in the house.

The memorabilia displayed, the child’s bed behind him, and the newspaper insert detailing a young boy saving a dog allowed Aaron to learn that he was standing in John’s old bedroom.

John spun a story to Aaron about his mum dying of cancer last year, and just how much it impacted him. Losing a loved one to cancer is something Aaron can also relate to, as his gran Faith Dingle (Sally Dexter) died after a diagnosis. In 2024, Aaron’s mum Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) was also told she had breast cancer, but fortunately survived the journey.

Aaron connected with John in this moment which meant the dishonesty wasn’t a strong focus of the conversation. Instead, John reminded Aaron that he previously expressed interest in buying the house, and said it would be a good idea if they move in together.

Aaron smiled and agreed.

John was then seen in the woods removing some leaves from the floor. We then saw an entrance to a bunker. He opened it and went down the ladder.

John approached a blanket on a bench, the same one that he hid Mackenzie’s body in a few days ago.

He pulled the material back and we saw Mack. He grumbled, confirming he had just about survived.