Coronation Street fans beg 'don't let anything happen' as they fear harrowing death

Coronation Street fans have pleaded for nothing to happen to baby Frankie after Lauren Bolton was given worrying news about her son. The little boy was born prematurely after his teenage mum was drugged to spur on labour or a miscarriage.

As viewers of the ITV soap know, the evil act was carried out by Joel Deering who was secretly housing Lauren in his flat after she returned to Weatherfield pregnant with his child.

Lauren, played by Cait Fitton, suddenly went missing in February after getting a visit from a mystery character who was never revealed to viewers. Roy Cropper was charged with Lauren's presumed murder before months later, Joel's involvement was uncovered to viewers.

READ MORE: Coronation Street fans 'confused' by Betsy Swain as they 'work out' Lauren Bolton move

READ MORE: Read more of our Coronation Street stories here

it was revealed that he was Lauren Bolton's 'secret boyfriend' and was behind her disappearance and presumed murder after he was seen attacking her with a chair leg. It was unclear if Lauren was still alive until July, when she returned to visit a poorly Roy Cropper, who had just been released from prison suspected of killing her.

But as fans saw at the time, Joel accosted her in the hospital where an intense confrontation ensued and the truth about their relationship was exposed, showing Joel had been paying Lauren's bills in return for sex, leading to her falling pregnant with his child.

Joel then scared Lauren into doing another runner before she was found at a squat by Dee-Dee Bailey and Bethany Platt who took her to the hospital to be checked over. After she left, she was living in Joel's flat with promises of a new life in Ireland, however, Joel bought pills and drugged Lauren, leaving her to go into labour and give birth to their son.

Now, Joel is currently doing everything he can to evade being nailed by DS Swain for grooming Lauren as she teams up with his ex-fiancee Dee-Dee Bailey to bring him down once and for all.

During Wednesday night's (September 18) Corrie, viewers saw Swain and Dee-Deeclosing in on Joel as they discovered who had delivered the package of pills that spurred on Lauren's early labour. But when Joel was taken in voluntarily for questioning, he confidently avoided claiming any responsibility.

It left Swain bagging her head against the wall as she's keen to bring Joel down once and for all after discovering his involvement with her daughter, Betsy. But it could be her teenage daughter who holds the key to what happened as she made a worrying confession to her pal Sabrina.

In the meantime, Joel headed to the hospital where he started shouting about Lauren, saying she'd tried to kill their baby and that she couldn't be trusted after he discovered Frankie was ill, having suffered a seizure before doctors discovered a bleed on his brain. The teen was left distressed and ordered Joel out and it was the nurses who forced him out in the end.

Max Turner then crashed her and Swain's meal at the Bistro with her daughter Betsy and demanded Swain do something to help Lauren after Joel's latest unruly visit to the hospital.

Following the scenes, Corrie fans were left pleading for Frankie to be OK. @Arlene_HWycombe said: "Oh no please dont let anything happen to Frankie hasn't Lauren suffered enough #Corrie."@teenamassam shared: "I hope Frankie’s going to be alright, my hearts breaking for Lauren #Corrie." @mishybabez_ added: "I hope Frankie's gonna be okay. Lauren doesnt deserve this #Corrie.£

Others, meanwhile, are hoping Max and Lauren's relationship could revert back to being a romance, while some were happy with their friendship. @mumma_bear_60 said: "I hope Lauren and max get together and raise Frankie." @LeahXBarnes commented: "Max taking Lauren to the cafe to celebrate aww bless. get them back together! #corrie."

@ElleLou22 wrote: "Awwww max and Lauren is a corrie friendship we never knew we needed #corrie." @matt_johnson_89 added: "I like the fact Max and Lauren are still good friends after everything #Corrie."