BETHANY Platt makes a horrifying discovery about Lauren Bolton’s murder in Coronation Street.
The character – played by Lucy Fallon– has become fixated on the missing teen’s case ever since Nathan Curtis – the man who groomed Bethany when she was a teen – returned to Weatherfield.
Nathan was released from prison after serving his sentence for what he did to Bethany and has started working on a construction site near the Cobbles.
Bethany has confronted her abuser face to face with the support of boyfriend Daniel Osbourne, but her loved ones have become increasingly concerned about her wellbeing since Nathan’s reappearance.
In upcoming Coronation Street scenes, Nathan is arrested after new police officer Kit finds evidence linking him to Lauren in his work van.
However, Bethany is left shocked when her mum Sarah reveals she had planned to set Nathan up by planting Lauren’s hair bobble in the vehicle, and now he’s been arrested.
Daniel is incensed but assures Bethany he would never grass up Sarah, and his only hope is that Nathan really is guilty, because if not, the real murderer will walk free.
In a bid to gather more evidence against Nathan, Daniel and Bethany call sex worker Nicky and beg her to put them in touch with her friend Ellie, as they suspect she has vital information.
Nicky obliges and when they meet Ellie, she describes to Bethany how she had a client who showered her with gifts and became more of a boyfriend, but suddenly turned nasty and threatened to kill her.
When Bethany shows her a photo of Nathan, will Ellie confirm it was him?
Meanwhile at the police station, when DS Swain reveals that the girl who provided him with an alibi for the night of Lauren’s disappearance has changed her mind, Nathan’s rattled.
As DS Swain questions him about his penchant for young girls and suggests he murdered Lauren, Nathan refuses to comment.
Nathan assures Joel that he’s innocent and suspects Sarah planted Lauren’s hair.
But is Nathan telling the truth? Or has the twisted sex abuser struck again?
Coronation Street fans have been speculating if he’s involved or not, with one writing on X: “They better not have just brought Nathan back for him not to be involved at all in any way shape or form with Lauren’s disappearance? Surely he’s involved?”
Another added: “They only brought Nathan back because Bethany has returned, and he was a major part of her history. He’s got nothing to do with Lauren.”
Coronation Street's shock exits 2024
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite, portrayed by Peter Ash, was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Eileen Grimshaw is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour.
She’s had to leave the Street immediately after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
A third tweeted: “Nathan was released a few months ago. Bethany returned to Weatherfield on New Year’s Day ( IE a few months ago)
“The release letter was sent to Bethany’s old address. Lauren went missing on 23/02 so it makes sense for it to be Nathan who did something to her.”
Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.