Coronation Street fans 'work out' Joel death twist after game-changing move

Coronation Street fans are convinced Joel Deering is dead after Lauren Bolton 'gave away two clues' as the villainous lawyer is due to face justice for his grooming and violent offences. Joel's downfall kicked off earlier this year when he was revealed to be the secret boyfriend of Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton). But when she vanished and later presumed dead, Joel was shocked to see her make an unwanted return to Weatherfield - and she was pregnant.

It emerged that Joel (Calum Lil) had been paying Lauren's bills and showering her with gifts in exchange for sex, resulting in her becoming pregnant with his child. Joel then housed Lauren in his flat while he made preparations to send her to Belfast. But in a sickening plot, he was seen administering a drug to the teenager that induced premature labour with their son, Frankie, who is now battling for his life in the hospital.

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Last week, Corrie fans saw DS Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) and Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) closing in on Joel as they uncovered who had delivered the package of pills that triggered Lauren's early labour. But when Joel voluntarily went in for questioning, he confidently denied any culpability.

It was only in the episode aired on Friday (September 20) that Swain finally had Joel cornered, thanks to a confession from her daughter Betsy (Sydney Martin).

There was another twist in Wednesday's Corrie episode (September 25) as Joel stunned Lauren with a £5k bank transfer.

Lauren and Dee-Dee tried to work out why the villain would send over the cash, but it was soon revealed Joel had also sent £5k to Emily, Joel's ex-wife.

Dee-Dee warned Lauren not to spend the cash believing it was a ploy to get her on the wrong side of the law. Lauren also confessed to tracing Joel's movements by using a tracker and confirmed he had spent time in woodland and a warehouse.

Joel's 'odd' behaviour has left viewers wondering if he has either committed suicide amid his criminal case, or has faked his own death.

Taking to X, one Corrie viewer wrote: "Joel’s dead and buried. Lauren’s app noted he was at a warehouse (killed) and a field (buried). He was made to transfer money to Lauren and his ex-wife before he was murdered… my guess, potentially a #spoiler. #Corrie."

A second hinted: "Uncle Stephen, Pat Phelan, Richard Hillman and Clayton and now our lovely Joel deserve better #Corrie." A third predicted: "#Corrie Joel going to fake his own death."

"Joel in a field and industrial estate....Buried evidence or buried bodies? #Corrie", asked one fan.

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