Coronation Street 'reveals' Lauren's real baby dad after health twist - it's not Max or Joel

Coronation Street fans believe they've cracked the mystery of who is the real father of Lauren Bolton's baby, and it's not Joel Deering or Max Turner.

Lauren, a young character on the show, gave birth prematurely to baby Frankie in August after being drugged by Joel (played by Calum Lill) in an attempt to end both their lives. Viewers will remember that Joel was the one who groomed and abused Lauren for months, resulting in her pregnancy.

Thankfully, both Lauren and Frankie survived the ordeal, although Frankie spent several months in hospital following his birth. Meanwhile, Joel met his end in September, setting off a major 'whodunnit' storyline in the soap.

The plot later revealed that it was Lauren who killed Joel. Now, Lauren and baby Frankie are residing together in a mother-and-child unit in prison as they await Lauren's trial. However, recent episodes have brought concerning news about Frankie's health, reports Lancs Live.

Medical professionals informed Lauren that Frankie could be suffering from severe aplastic anaemia, a rare but serious blood disorder caused by the bone marrow's failure to produce enough blood cells. Additionally, there was a warning that the infant might have leukaemia.

Adding to her woes, Lauren was heartbroken to learn that she couldn't donate her blood due to a previous diagnosis of Hepatitis C. Joel's parents, Gus (played by Chris Garner) and Anthea (portrayed by Carol Royle), have arrived on the scene amid their grandson Frankie's health crisis, with intentions to seek full custody.

However, a recent episode revealed a hidden truth when Gus whispered to Anthea: "They'd never have agreed [to let them see Frankie] if they knew the truth. You know that as well as me."

Now, Coronation Street fans are buzzing with speculation about a potential DNA shocker, suspecting that Frankie might not be Joel's biological son after all. Theories are circulating among viewers that Joel could have an unknown twin brother, which would explain the mysterious comments from Joel's parents and the recent health revelations concerning Frankie.

On a Corrie fan page on Facebook, one viewer speculated: "I'm thinking that Joel's parents will do a test for Frankie's transplant and it will be proved he is not Joel's," In the thread, others suggested that Joel's hypothetical twin might be the real father of Lauren's child.

Another fan posited: "I've said for ages that Joel has a twin who got Lauren pregnant and died! " Echoing this sentiment, another added: "His long lost brother? " And yet another fan questioned: "I don't think it's Max's."

Some viewers even believe that Joel's parents are aware of the twin and are part of a larger scheme. One commenter suggested: "Are they hiding the fact they know Joel is alive? " while another concurred: "Yes I think he has a twin who died!"

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX

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