Coronation Street viewers think they have sussed what Lauren Bolton has planned for Joel Deering ahead of his downfall after a scene between the characters this week

Coronation Street fans think they have worked out Lauren Bolton’s real plan for villain Joel Deering, and it could set his downfall in motion.

Joel appeared to control Lauren once again on the ITV soap this week, as he convinced her to get rid of the evidence she had against him. But some fans think she’s secretly working against him, ready to take him down ahead of his crimes being exposed.

Viewers know that Joel has been grooming young girls, with him targeting Lauren and coercing her into a sexual relationship. Things took a dark turn as Lauren tried to end things, only for Joel to brutally attack her and leave her for dead.

Lauren went into hiding and found out she was pregnant, with Joel finding this out last month. Now he’s taken drastic action to get rid of Lauren, even trying to kill her unborn baby in sickening scenes.

Joel drugged Lauren to trigger a premature labour, but her baby boy survived. He’d also been claiming he would help get her away to Ireland, before his sick actions landed her and her son in hospital.

Coronation Street fans think they have worked out Lauren Bolton’s real plan for villain Joel Deering (Image: ITV)

In a recent episode Joel begged Lauren to delete an incriminating email about him, after she scheduled a message to be sent to DS Swain in a matter of weeks. The email confirmed Joel’s crimes and the fact he was the father of her child, and would be sent if Joel did not help her flee as planned.

With Lauren now trapped with her baby son being poorly, Joel told her she needed him more than ever and to delete the email. Lauren appeared to do this but fans think they know Lauren’s plan that will see her keep hold of the evidence, and send it onto DS Swain after all.

Taking to social media, viewers suggested that Lauren will have resaved the email she deleted after seemingly getting rid of it, either rescheduling it or even saving it in drafts to send later on if needed. One fan posted: “Will it not still be in her deleted emails?”

Another agreed: “The email thing is a bit stupid she can delete it in front of him and then just do another one when he’s gone.” A third added: “I’m hoping she hasn’t deleted that email,” as a fourth said: “I think she’s knows what he is and just playing along.”

It comes after cast members recently told The Mirror that Joel would face a comeuppance, and that a downfall would be on the cards. While no details have been given, there will come a point when Joel is finally exposed and has actions are revealed to Weatherfield.

Asked about his character’s short shelf life, something he would have been told from the very start, he said: “It is [disappointing]. If you play a goodie you might be able to stay for ages, but playing a baddie, me and probably my mortgage provider are a bit disappointed.

“But it’s such a good opportunity, and it’s so fun and it’s the best gift I could have been given. The best thing about being here is the people, everyone is incredible. Whether he lasts a month or a year or longer, it’ll be amazing.”

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X.