Solicitor Joel Deering (Calum Lill) has been pictured acting very suspiciously in the next part of Lauren Bolton’s (Cait Fitton) storyline in Coronation Street.
In the week beginning May 27, viewers will finally discover what really happened to Lauren, the young woman who disappeared in February.
We know the police believe Lauren has been murdered and currently have Roy Cropper (David Neilson) in custody as the prime suspect.
To make matters worse for the beloved character, far-right gang leader Griff Reynolds (Michael Condron) will return to Weatherfield prison and soon, he will take it upon himself to try and force a confession out of Roy.
Back on the cobbles, Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) is convinced that Nathan Curtis (Christopher Harper) is to blame for Lauren’s murder.
In a climactic week of episodes, stripped across five nights, we’ll see Carla Connor (Alison King) and Bobby on the wrong side of the law, facing charges for perverting the course of justice.
And at last, we will find out who Lauren Bolton’s killer really is.
Once this development unfolds, we will of course take a look at the aftermath of this narrative, which is where these exciting and very intriguing new pictures come in.
Joel, who is also boyfriend to Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown), can be seen running into a derelict pub that Bethany (Lucy Fallon) and Dee-Dee are investigating, curious as to whether Lauren might be in there.
He looks somewhat panicked – is Joel helping Dee-Dee and Bethany, or does the character have something to hide?
Suffice to say we’ve been suspicious of Joel for a little while. There were the expensive cufflinks he bought – were they linked to the posh necklace that Lauren’s secret ‘boyfriend’ gave her?
Then there were the flowers that Lauren received from her ‘boyfriend’ in February. Dee-Dee received a very similar bouquet from Joel. Again, not exactly a smoking gun but possibly part of a more sinister puzzle.
And can we have a moment to discuss the resemblance between Joel and Nathan? Could they be brothers?
The pub Joel, Dee-Dee and Bethany are outside of is abandoned and completely boarded up.
Past pictures have already shown Joel outside the building, so why would the sharp-suited lawyer be hanging around there – unless he’s been keeping a massive secret from the Weatherfield residents?
Speaking about next week’s episodes, ITV soap boss Iain MacLeod enthused: ’This week is so gripping and unlike anything Coronation Street has done before, in terms of the story-telling.
‘It’s modern, really exciting and has some of our favourite characters right in the middle of the drama.
‘The murder mystery around Lauren has had us all on the edge of our seats and the race against time across this week to solve it before Roy gets seriously hurt is so engrossing and cleverly plotted.
‘It is also the launchpad for a massive new chapter in that narrative – so you really won’t want to miss it, if you want to carry on trying to piece together this thrilling puzzle!’
