Coronation Street confirms return of ‘ruthless’ and sick paedophile in horrifying new storyline

Coronation Street has confirmed the return of sick paedophile Nathan Curtis (Chris Harper) in upcoming scenes, as Lauren Bolton’s (Cait Fitton) disappearance takes more shocking turns.

Nathan was imprisoned for raping Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) back in 2017, after grooming her over a period of several months.

Believing her abuser to be behind bars, Bethany is totally thrown when she spots him at the reconstruction of Lauren’s last known movements.

She later discovers that he has been out of prison for some time, and working on a building site nearby.

Having lived through his abuse and witnessed first hand what his behaviour towards young girls is like, Bethany soon begins to suspect that he could have had something to do with Lauren’s disappearance.

Convinced that Nathan is to blame, Bethany forces herself to confront him, determined to bring Lauren’s attacker to justice.

But has she got the right man? With Roy behind bars awaiting trial for murder and Nathan keen to make out he’s a changed character since his time in prison, is the real predator still at large? Or has Nathan, the master manipulator, returned to his old ways?

Speaking about his return to the cobbles, actor Chris Harper reflected on the impact of his previous storyline on the show.

‘I was emotional when I was told about Nathan’s potential return. During the 18 months he was in it before, hundreds of people shared with me how the storyline reflected something they, or someone they loved, had lived through. It remains important to keep them in mind as we continue Bethany’s story.

‘Once again, I am grateful for the ongoing support of Barnardo’s, NSPCC, S.H.E.UK, and all the people who trusted me last time. We have another chance to raise an issue that affects so many lives, so often shrouded in shame.’

On the character of Nathan, Chris revealed: ‘I do love playing Nathan though. He is funny, deceitful, slippery, manipulative and ruthless. Now he is also under a lot of pressure too. This new storyline is absolutely full of twists.

‘It really is good to be back on the hallowed cobbles. So much has happened since we saw Nathan sent to prison, but Coronation Street is a constant. I feel like the cast, crew and the whole team are old friends.’