Earlier in the year, Coronation Street fans were shocked as Lauren Bolton,

played by Cait Fitton, vanished from the cobbles without a trace. Theories abounded about

her potential demise when police found blood and evidence of a struggle in her flat,

unaware that Joel Deering, portrayed by Calum Lill, had brutally attacked her.

In an unexpected development, Dee-Dee Bailey, played by Channique Sterling-Brown, and Bethany Platt, portrayed by Lucy Fallon, successfully tracked Lauren down, only to discover she was pregnant.

ITV’s recent episodes have disclosed that Joel is the father of Laurens’s unborn child, and he’s desperately trying to stop her from revealing his secret to Dee-Dee. But not all viewers are convinced by her story.

The Express reports that one viewer saidd “And Lauren’s bound to give birth at Christmas. It’ll be Max’s baby, not Joel’s.”

Joining the discussion, another said: “Plot twist: Max is the father of Lauren’s baby and it isn’t Joel’s at all” while another speculated: “Lauren is a female Max. It’d be hilarious if this kid isn’t Joel’s.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Amidst the skepticism, one fan expressed doubts saying: “I’m not sure if I’m convinced that Joel is Lauren’s baby daddy. Who else has she been with,” drawing more intrigue into the storyline.

However, some viewers think Max will step up, with one fan forecasting: “I can see a similar David/Kylie situation developing with Max taking on Lauren and being a stepdad to the baby in the future.”

Recent episodes have depicted Lauren spending time with her ex-boyfriend Max Turner (Paddy Bever), but she keeps quiet about the assault, falsely accusing Nathan Curtis (Chris Harper).

In a moment of rage, she departs his house and later demands that Joel assist her in leaving the country for a fresh start. Despite his repeated assertions of lack of funds and his advice to stay put for now, she agrees.

What Lauren doesn’t know is that Joel has a more ominous plan in motion as he is seen researching drugs that could induce early labour.

Things seem to be going downhill for the teenager, as forthcoming spoilers for the ITV soap reveal that Lauren is robbed at the precinct.

While Max is there to provide support, Joel continues with his evil plan to get rid of her once and for all. Later, Lauren is seen doubled over in intense pain, holding her stomach.

When Max visits her flat to check on her, a collapsed Lauren cries out that something isn’t right. Fearing she’s losing her baby, has Joel accomplished his goal?