Horrified Coronation Street fans work out Lauren Bolton’s harrowing link to Bethany Platt

CORONATION Street fans are convinced they have uncovered a secret link between troubled Lauren Bolton and returning character Bethany Platt.

It was recently confirmed that Lucy Fallon would be returning to the ITV soap in her role as Bethany and eagle-eyed fans have spied a huge return storyline for the daughter of Sarah.

They have theorised that she will have a hidden link to Lauren, who has been close with the Platt family after her relationship with Max and her involvement with the evil Griff and his gang.

Fans saw recently as Lauren, played by Cait Fitton, made a move on a stunned Roy Cropper as she attempted to make a pass at him in return for letting her stay in his flat.

The moment left fans cringing but Lauren later opened up that she had used her body as a way of returning favours to men in the past.

However, it has left fans speculating that Lauren could have had dealings with Nathan Curtis – the man jailed for leading Bethany’s harrowing 2017 sexual exploitation storyline.

Nathan groomed Bethany and sexually abused her before pimping her out to his mates as part of his grooming circle.

He would take Bethany to ‘parties’ where she ended up being abused by the evil gang.

Nathan and his accomplices were then put behind bars for being found guilty of rape and conspiracy to commit rape.

Speaking out on Lauren being a possible victim of Nathan, one Coronation Street fan said:  “Some people have speculated that she’s one of the girls Nathan abused, which, with Bethany coming back, sort of makes sense.

“But she has definitely been abused in some form for her to speak like that.”

As another echoed: “Aw, it was heartbreaking. But yeah, being a victim of Nathan’s might make sense.”

The Celeb Report were the first to report Lucy’s return as Bethany.

Her first scenes are expected to air after Christmas.

A TV source said: “Lucy is one of soap’s most talented actresses who won lots of awards for her powerful portrayal of Bethany’s grooming storyline.

“She was destined for big things and everyone was sad to see her go but the door was always going to be left open for someone of her calibre and popularity.

“Bosses reached out to her a few weeks ago about the possibility of coming back, and told her everything they’d planned for Bethany if she agreed.

“She discussed it with her boyfriend, and family, because she’s a mum now with a baby.

“Once they’d talked about childcare, and how best to juggle it all, she was able to say she’d love to return.”