Corrie fans 'work out' Lauren's real baby daddy in shock twist - and it's not Joel or Max

Coronation Street viewers are convinced they have worked out who the real father of Lauren Bolton's baby is - and it's neither Joel Deering nor Max Turner

Coronation Street fans believe they've cracked the mystery surrounding the real father of Lauren Bolton's baby, and it's not Joel Deering or Max Turner.

Lauren gave birth prematurely to baby Frankie in August after being drugged by Joel (played by Calum Lill) in a horrifying plot to kill both mother and child. Viewers will remember that Joel was behind months of grooming and abuse towards Lauren, which resulted in her pregnancy.

Thankfully, both Lauren and Frankie survived the ordeal, although Frankie spent several months in hospital following his birth. Joel met his end in September, setting off a major 'whodunnit' storyline on the soap.

The shocking truth eventually came out that Lauren was the one who killed Joel. Now, Lauren and baby Frankie are residing together in a prison's mother-and-child unit as they await Lauren's trial. However, recent episodes have seen Lauren receive distressing news about Frankie's health, reports Lancs Live.

Medical professionals informed her 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. There were also fears that the infant might have leukaemia.

Adding to Lauren's woes, she was heartbroken to learn that she couldn't donate her blood due to a previous diagnosis of Hepatitis C.

Corrie fans are on the edge of their seats after a massive plot twist involving Joel's parents, Gus (Chris Garner) and Anthea (Carol Royle), who've arrived with an agenda to snatch custody of little Frankie. But it's not just about custody; there's a whopper of a secret they're clutching onto. In a hushed convo, Gus spills to Anthea: "They'd never have agreed [to let them see Frankie] if they knew the truth. You know that as well as me."

Now, the Corrie faithful are buzzing with theories that there's a DNA shocker in store and that Frankie might not be Joel's biological son at all. The rumour mill has been churning out speculation that Joel could have a secret twin especially after Frankie's health scare and the mysterious secret his grandparents are keeping under wraps.

One eagle-eyed fan speculated 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," The comments section lit up with chatter, with some suggesting that Joel's supposed twin could be the real father of Lauren's child.

Another viewer was convinced, saying: "I've said for ages that Joel has a twin who got Lauren pregnant and died! " A third chimed in with: "His long lost brother? " And yet another added fuel to the fire: "I don't think it's Max's."

Some viewers reckon Joel's folks are in the loop about the twin and are part of a twisted scheme. One fan theorised: "Are they hiding the fact they know Joel is alive? " Another suggested: "Yes I think he has a twin who died!"

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

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