Coronation Street enthusiasts are predicting a shocking plot twist involving Joel Deering and Lauren Bolton after spotting a key clue during Monday night’s (August 5) episode. For some time the pair have been in a tumultuous relationship, and it’s only set to get worse if fan theories are to be believed.
The notorious character Joel, portrayed by Calum Lill, has been tormenting Lauren (Cait Fitton) for a while now. Lauren was even presumed dead before making an unexpected return to Weatherfield, revealing she was carrying Joel’s child.
In intense flashback scenes, Joel was unveiled as Lauren’s secret ‘boyfriend’, with viewers witnessing him savagely attacking her with a chair leg and leaving her for dead. The lawyer, who is presently engaged to Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown), has been covertly sheltering Lauren in his previous flat after moving in with Dee-Dee, who remains oblivious to her fiance’s secret.
Joel had intended to dispatch pregnant Lauren to Ireland, effectively removing her from his life, but in a shocking scheme – he laced her food with pills designed to induce premature labour. However, his plan backfired when their baby survived.
He had confined her in the flat, leaving Lauren isolated and trapped until her friend Max Turner (Paddy Bever) eventually came to her aid. Lauren was subsequently rushed to the hospital where she delivered a baby boy at six months gestation, reports the Liverpool Echo.
During Monday’s episode, new mother Lauren was heartbroken as her newborn son lay in an incubator while Joel made an appearance at the hospital. Before he even met his new son, Joel was determined to manipulate Lauren into not sending an email detailing his horrific abuse to the police. His plan worked as she agreed to delete the email as they both visited their son.
“Have I told you what I’m calling him? “, asked a seemingly naive Lauren, prompting a lacklustre response from Joel. “Francis, well Frankie after my grandad”, she revealed, sparking Joel’s interest as he shared that his grandad shared the same name.
This startling revelation has sent Corrie fans into a frenzy with speculation rife that Lauren and Joel could be blood-related, sharing the same grandad no less. On Twitter/X, one viewer speculated: “Are Joel and Lauren actually related #Corrie”, with another jumping on board with: “Are Joel and Lauren related then? Same Grandad? #Corrie.”
Joining the fan theories, someone else noted: “Apparently, Lauren and Joel’s grandfathers were both named Francis. #Corrie”. And another was quick to add: “Joel and Lauren are cousins?”.
Meanwhile, over on Facebook, viewers were equally intrigued with one stating: “I think Joel and Lauren are related OMG”, only to have another confirm: “I’m thinking the same.”
