ITV Coronation Street fans 'work out' DNA twist that will 'prove' Max is Frankie's father

A new theory suggests a DNA shocker could be in store for Coronation Street fans. Amid a troubling storyline involving Lauren Bolton's baby son Frankie, and his grandparents' attempts to take him away from her, there might be a twist in the tale regarding his paternity.

With a potential health-related plotline looming, viewers are questioning if 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 reappeared on the show in the summer, initially believed to be dead, it was revealed she was carrying Joel's child. After Joel attempted to harm her unborn child by drugging Lauren, she went into premature labour and Frankie was born with several health complications.

He was only recently discharged from hospital, while Lauren is now incarcerated after killing Joel. It was self-defence as 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 if needed. However, this week saw Joel's parents Anthea and Gus arrive, and upon discovering Frankie's identity, they pleaded with Max to let them see him, reports the Mirror.

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 escalated when Frankie was urgently taken to hospital after bruises were discovered on his body. Max found himself under suspicion from Gus and Anthea, but it wasn't long before Lauren was informed by doctors that her son might have a medical condition, necessitating further tests.

As the storyline unfolds, viewers are speculating about a significant DNA twist. Should Frankie require medical intervention or a transplant, it could lead to the revelation that Joel is not his biological father, with fans theorising another character might be the real dad.

This theory has yet to be confirmed by the show or through spoilers, but it hasn't stopped fans from sharing their predictions online. One viewer speculated: "We all know after a DNA that Joel is not even going to be the father of Frankie."

Others echoed this sentiment, with one suggesting: "If it's true it will probably be Max."

Another fan hypothesised a scenario involving Carla's nephew Bobby: "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]."

Additional comments included predictions about DNA test results disproving the grandparent status of Anthea and Gus, with one person asserting: "It's Max."