Coronation Street fans are convinced they know who the father of Lauren Bolton’s baby is – and it’s not Joel Deering or Max Turner

Coronation Street viewers 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, prematurely gave birth to baby Frankie in August after being drugged by Joel (played by Calum Lill) in an attempt to end both their lives.

As viewers will remember, Joel had been grooming and abusing 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. Joel, on the other hand, was written out of the show in September, sparking a major ‘whodunnit’ storyline.

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

It’s been a dramatic few months for Lauren(Image: ITV)

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

Adding to her distress, Lauren was crushed when she learned she couldn’t donate her blood due to a previous Hepatitis C diagnosis. Fans of the show are convinced there’s a jaw-dropping twist in the storyline involving school bully Mason and Gary Windass, suggesting an upcoming shock DNA revelation.

During this week’s episodes, as Joel’s health continues to falter, his parents Gus (portrayed by Chris Garner) and Anthea (played by Carol Royle) arrive with intentions to seek custody of little Frankie. However, a secret exchange between Gus and Anthea hinted at concealed truths: “They’d never have agreed [to let them see Frankie] if they knew the truth. You know that as well as me.”

Franke is now back in the hospital (Image: ITV)

Viewers are now speculating that a DNA surprise is imminent and that Frankie might not really be Joel’s child. Rumours about Joel possibly having a secret twin have been swirling for some time, and after the latest revelations concerning Frankie’s health and Joel’s parents’ enigmatic comments, Corrie fans spoke out on social media, hypothesising that Frankie’s biological father could be Joel’s alleged twin.

One avid fan claimed on a Corrie Facebook group: “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,” sparking debate among the community with theories that Joel’s potential twin could be Lauren’s baby dad.

Fans reckon Joel had a secret twin(Image: ITV)

Another viewer speculated: “I’ve said for ages that Joel has a twin who got Lauren pregnant and died! ” while another echoed, “His long lost brother? ” Others disagreed, suggesting alternative theories: “I don’t think it’s Max’s.”

Some even suspect that Joel’s parents are privy to the information about the twin and might be part of a twisted scheme. A comment read: “Are they hiding the fact they know Joel is alive? ” as another person added, “Yes I think he has a twin who died!”

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