Joel Deering was a shell of himself in Coronation Street this Friday but in eerie scenes, it was hinted that his stint in the cobbles will end in murder after a telling clue

Walls have closed in on Joel Deering after his vile actions were rumbled but death may be on the cards for the villain after he was seen bearing a large gash on his face during Friday’s trip to Weatherfield.

The sinister solicitor played by Calum Lill appeared to be on a downward spiral as he was seen lurking in the shadows this Friday (September 27, 2024) on Coronation Street, on what would have been his wedding day with Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown).

But after tormenting Lauren Bolton and Ellie, Joel had to slip on a suit for a different reason as he was due in court after he was charged for drugging Lauren in a bid to kill her then-unborn son Frankie.

After missing his court date, Joel was in a bad way as he appeared drunk in Roy Cropper’s (David Neilson) café, shouting the odds and apologising for causing him trouble as the Corrie veteran was once sent to prison, suspected to have killed Lauren in cold blood. But when Carla Connor (Alison King) showed up, Joel fled the scene.

However, it was made clear to viewers that Joel was putting on a show as he then poured out the contents of a bottle in a darkened alleyway, his composure returning to normal when nobody else was around.

As the Manchester-drama drew to a close, Roy was surrounded by Lauren (Cait Fitton), Max Turner (Paddy Bever) and Dee-Dee as he refused to report Joel’s arrival in his café, which had clearly shaken him up, despite being held hostage by Joel for a short amount of time.

A drunken Joel held Roy hostage in his café and apologised for letting him go to prison for a crime he didn’t commit (Image: ITV)

Meanwhile, Joel seemingly broke down in tears in his car as he left Dee-Dee a voicemail to apologise for his vile deeds, claiming to know there was no way back. But again, as soon as he hung up the phone, Joel regained his composure – and showed off a nasty cut on his left cheek in an eerie twist.

Many characters have a bone to pick with Joel Deering but could some of them, in the likes of Carla, Lauren and even Max, partner up to take him down? And could their alliance have resulted in Joel’s nasty injury in an off-screen altercation?

Though Carla may not like to be on the wrong side of the law as her friendship with DS Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) continues to blossom amid theories the pair may embark on a relationship, Lauren and Max were looking over their shoulder during this Friday’s episode after the wayward teen moved in with the Platts.

The pair were seen clearly spooked after hearing a noise outside the home and though Max was brave enough to stay outside a few more seconds to search for anything suspicious, Lauren urged him to return to safety. Could Joel have been there?

This comes after another scene aired this Monday (September 23, 2024) seemed to foreshadow Joel’s upcoming death. Joel pursued Dee-Dee on the cobbles with their wedding rings, begging her for another chance before her father Ed and uncle Ronnie (Trevor Michael Georges and Vinta Morgan) rushed out of the Rovers to help her.

Confronted by both men, Joel was told he must have a “death wish” to have the audacity to approach Dee-Dee after the breakdown of their relationship and engagement – which he bluntly confirmed by retorting: “spot on.” Will Ed and Ronnie be involved in Joel’s downfall?

While this remains to be seen, this comes after spoilers have teased, DS Lisa Swain will break the news that Joel is dead in scenes due to air. When Dee-Dee Bailey receives a voice message from her evil ex-fiancé, the detective then warns her that it could be a suicide note.

Locating Joel’s phone signal, Swain and colleague Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) track the villain’s last whereabouts and find his car parked on a bridge – with a cryptic note left on the dashboard.

The discovery leaves the pair convinced Joel has died, and Swain breaks the news that they are now looking for Joel’s body. Later on in the week, Dee-Dee is convinced Joel is actually on the run and has faked his own death to cover his tracks, after making another huge discovery. Will she be proven right?