Coronation Street ‘work out’ true identity of baby Frankie’s father as exit ‘sealed’

A new theory suggests a DNA shocker could be about to rock Coronation Street.

Amid a worrying storyline involving Lauren Bolton’s baby son Frankie and his grandparents’ attempts to take him away from her, there might be a paternity twist in store. With a potential health-related plotline looming, viewers are questioning whether Joel Deering is truly Frankie’s biological father.

Earlier this year, Lauren was assaulted by the violent Joel, who manipulated her into a sexual relationship. When she made a return to the soap in the summer, initially believed to be dead, it was revealed she was carrying Joel’s child.

After Joel attempted to harm her unborn baby by drugging Lauren, she went into premature labour, and Frankie was born with several health complications. He was only recently discharged from the hospital, while Lauren is currently behind bars for killing Joel.

She acted in self-defence when he tried to murder her partner Max Turner. Lauren hopes to retain custody of baby Frankie in a mother-and-baby unit, with Max ready to step in and care for the infant if needed, reports the Mirror.

Coronation Street viewers think a DNA bombshell will be exposed amid baby Frankie’s hospital dash, (Image: ITV)

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However, this week, Joel’s parents, Anthea and Gus, arrive on the scene, and upon discovering Frankie’s identity, they plead with Max to let them see him. Pretending to empathise with Lauren, their true motives were soon revealed when they absconded with Frankie, later informing Max of their intentions to seek custody.

Drama hit fever pitch when little Frankie was whisked off to hospital with unexplained bruising, sparking a flurry of accusations against Max from Gus and Anthea. But the plot thickened as Lauren discovered from medics that her son might be facing a serious health issue, pending further tests.

As the soap teases a potential diagnosis, fans are buzzing with theories of a DNA bombshell just waiting to explode. Should Frankie need medical intervention or even a transplant, it could be the catalyst for a shocking family revelation.

Soap buffs are chomping at the bit, convinced that Joel’s paternity is about to be blown wide open, with another character stepping into the spotlight as Frankie’s true dad.

Social media is ablaze with speculation, with one viewer declaring: “We all know after a DNA that Joel is not even going to be the father of Frankie.”

Echoes of agreement ripple through the fanbase, with another chiming in: “Agreed very predictable,” while a third bets on Max being the real father.

One sleuthing fan predicts: “Frankie’s ill and will need bone marrow and once they start looking for a donor, they’ll realise the real kicker – that the kid ain’t Joel’s – his dad is Carla’s nephew [Bobby].”

Another insists: “They’re not the grandparents of Frankie, DNA test will prove it,” and yet another stakes their claim: “It’s Max.”

Despite baby Frankie’s illness, could an exit be on the cards if Joel’s parents managed to kidnap him?